What’s underneath?
During the hot summer months, pesky flies torture my horses. Although I use two different methods to control these aggravating insects, nothing is 100% effective. So horses do what horses have probably done since their creation–they roll in the dirt. And they seem to be especially grateful for a heavy rain that gives them–MUD!
From my observation, the dirt and mud do not measure up to the hopes of the horses. Flies seem to always find a way to complete their goal of biting.
The more obvious result of rolling in the mud is the change of appearance of the horse. A beautiful palomino becomes a gray mottled mess. Our white horse is splotched in reddish-brown.
But, what’s underneath that muddy exterior?
It’s the same stubborn, easily frightened horse as when she is washed and clean.
Just as we are the same person when we’re lounging around in ragged sweat-pants or dressed in our finest for a celebration. We don’t change who we are by what we wear (or by rolling in the mud).
What is truly underneath our shield that we wear to face the world?
- Are we confident and assured about who we are and our place in the world?
- Are we comfortable in our own “skin” or do we wish we could change what the world sees (as easily as my horses do by rolling in the mud?)
- Are we trusting of others and do others trust us?
- Are we feeling anxious about our health, family dynamics, political issues, or domestic and world conflicts?
These are some tough questions. Perhaps your answers may be, “sometimes,” “maybe,” “I’m not sure,” or “I don’t know!”
My horses don’t know any better–as long as they are well-fed, protected from predators, and have a companion, they are content. They know who feeds them and rescues them when they get in trouble. And, I’m sad to say this aloud (in print), horses are not very intelligent, so they don’t worry about any conflicts that occur outside of their small realm.
But it’s different for humans–sometimes we worry–sometimes we’re not quite sure about some of those questions I’ve posed above.
God granted us a much bigger brain than that of a horse.
Thankfully, most humans are smarter than my horses (although I have known a few people that aren’t). Our creator gifted us with intelligence, reasoning ability, and discernment. We can weigh the variables and, hopefully, make wise decisions. But more importantly, we have our heavenly Father to whom we can reach out for guidance in times of challenge, trials, and tough decision making.
When we seek our Father’s guidance, we are showing our trust in Him.
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7
I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. and if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15
Our Lord knows us just as we are. We don’t need to attempt to hide our flaws because He is aware of them. He recognizes exactly what is underneath that façade we may be showing the world to hide our insecurities. He knows our disappointments, weaknesses, and fears. Our Father sees beneath the “mud” that has accumulated in our lives.
One more thing…
Our Lord understands us better than anyone else. He sees beneath the exterior–all the way to our heart. And He still loves us. Isn’t that amazing?
Our Lord LOVES us!
What does He ask for in return?
- He knows we’re not perfect.
- He knows we will sin and fall short of His glory.
- He knows we will stumble on our journey.
Even though He accepts us as we are–even though He loves us in spite of our faults–He does ask us for something very important in return…
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
How does it make you feel knowing that God loves you in spite of your faults and falters?
What does it look like to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength?
Amen! What a great post Ms. Katherine. Your words made me think of how sad it makes God when He observes people who have surrendered some of the miraculous gifts He gave mankind. When we surrender our ability to think, reason, seek His wisdom and guidance, and make informed decisions to follow “groupthink”, we become what I’ve long called “Sheeple.” I define them as people who can no longer think for themselves, defend their individuality, or seek truth. They become a cross between lemmings (mindless followers) and sheep (defenseless and dependent). The combination thereof being far less capable than the humans God created them to be. “Sheeple” are perhaps one of Satan’s greatest achievements of deception. Thank you for reminding us that God gave us a superior mind and dominion over all the animals. Let us not surrender this great gift to worldly pleasures and demands. God’s blessings ma’am.
Thank you for mentioning and defining “Sheeple” for us. It is dangerous when we don’t use the intelligence and reasoning that God gifts us and we blindly follow the crowd, false leaders, or our own pride. I agree that the devil celebrates each time when we falter in our pathway of God’s will and fall off into disobedience. I’m so thankful that we have a Father to guide us, His Word to help us when we seek wisdom, and the fellowship of believers (mentors like you) to help us through the challenges we face on a daily basis. Thank you for your ministry to God’s children. Wishing you a blessed week!
Thank you for this timely reminder. Too often people worry about how others see them. They try to keep up appearances or keep their brand consistent – even when it doesn’t match who they are or what they truly believe. I find myself too guilty of this. I know that when I am loving the Lord with all my heart I’m more willing to ask Him to examine my heart an show me all the mud and muck that needs washed off or removed where my outside will match my inside. It’s been a long time since I rode a horse. Way back in the day I participated in FFA rodeo and about got myself killed riding saddle broncs as a teenager. Thank you for the message I needed to hear and the Bible verses that I needed this morning. God bless.
Thank you for adding your insight and wisdom to my message, Jimmie. I agree completely–we worry too much about what other think of us and get distracted from our purpose–to be obedient to our Lord and serve Him in all things. I cannot decide whether people who actually ride a bucking bronco on purpose are very brave or have lost their minds. I suppose they just love the challenge. Glad you weren’t badly hurt at the FFA rodeo and you survived to be a witness for Jesus. May God bless you as you continue your ministry and service to Him.
Your words touched my heart today dear friend.
Thank you. I think of you so often. Praying for you and your family.
This reminds me of two things. One, my current heroine is a professional model who is known world-wide but who has lost her identity behind all the makeup and camera flash. And two, a great non-fiction book called Veneer that addresses these real issues. Out of fear of rejection, we do put up a veneer, don’t we? Grateful God see and knows and, most importantly, does not flinch as what he sees and know. Thanks, Katherine. Your posts are always reassuring. I love the picture of you on that horse!
I think being a model (or an actor) would be one of the hardest occupations. It would be so easy to lose your identify. I’m so thankful that, as believers, we find our identity in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ–not in the world. I do think we often use a veneer in an attempt to protect ourselves from vulnerability. Thankfully, our Father knows exactly who we are, yet He loves us anyway with unfailing grace, mercy, and compassion. Blessings, my friend.
I have learned so much from my horse as well, and cannot imagine my life without him. I love the imagery of the mud and that we are still the same person. Perfect scriptures too. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad we share the blessing of having horses. I learn much from them, too, although I fuss at mine for their lack of intelligence. I tell them, “It’s a good thing you’re pretty!” Thank you for your encouragement, Jennifer. I hope you continue to enjoy your time with your horse. May God continue to bless your ministry.
It’s been a long time since I rode a horse, but I do remember the flies. They attack the rider too!
Thanks for your word pictures and for the lesson from the stable. We can’t hide behind our mud!
You are right, Barbara, those pesky flies torment person and beast. This time of year they are usually attacking me as soon as I step outside (sometimes they follow me inside, too!) There’s probably a blog or devotional in there somewhere–beware of danger, no matter where we are. Wishing you a blessed day–without flies!
So true and so timely.
Thanks for illustrating the love, goodness, and power of our God.
Your pictures are just right and I love the one of you riding 😃
That’s a fine horse.
Thank you for your encouragement, Connie. Yes, Peaches is a fine horse. We went through a De-Spook Clinic together (you can see that we both look rather terrified in that picture). But my big girl did very well and I was really proud of her. It was quite a leaning experience for both of us. Wishing you continued blessings in your ministry.
It brings peace to know that even when I’m covered in mud, the Lord loves me. Thanks for sharing.
I agree, Joanna, so thankful that God loves me even with mud, crud, and all the other mess I carry around.
Well done, as always, Katherine. As one who has “rolled in the mud” more than I want to really know, or admit, I think the picture you painted opens doors to understanding, and that inevitably leads to gratitude and worship. Thanks for doing what God so often does, chooses an obvious example from the natural world all around us to shape our thinking, focus our faith, and our adjust our attitudes and behavior.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Ron, and adding your insight. I’m with you–I’ve “rolled in the mud” a lot in an attempt to hide or cover up weakness, fear, and sin. But of course, just as Peaches is the same horse under that black mud, I’m the same person, even when I try to hide. Thankfully God knows us through the mud and is there to “wash” away the crud. Of course, we must make the choice to go to Him and agree to the cleansing. Wishing you blessings, sir.