Wednesday Wisdom 🙂
Today’s scripture can be found in Revelations 3: 20.
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
As a cattle farmer, I spend a lot of time thinking about gates. Gates are essentially doors used for animals and provide critical tools for a cattle caregiver. Sometimes gates are physical, and sometimes they are the metaphorical ones that lead to a mental connection — either way, they are the pathways for forward progress.
I often think to myself:
- Are the correct gates open to allow my cattle to go where I need them to go?
- Are the correct gates closed to keep my cattle from going somewhere that I do not want them to go?
- As a leader, do I correctly manage the gates as I either invite or discourage my cattle?
The simplest way to lead my animals is to cause my idea to be their idea. When we share the same thought, then we find harmony in whatever farm chore is being done. The first part to sharing a thought is gaining attention. While I don’t “stand at the door and knock” — I do the cow equivalent and enter their space until they lift their eyes and grant me their curious attention. The moment that I become their focus, then I can begin to open the communication gate and guide them to the correct physical gate.
There is always a choice involved, and sometimes I need to be persistent in the proper position with my animals until they chose to make that connection with me. I must be patient as well as sensitive because if I link up with them at the right moment and in the right way, then the cattle not only follow my direction but they also continue to view me as their trusted leader and caregiver. While I use physical gates and fences to help guide them, finding the doorway to their brains provides the key to having a healthy and low stress experience.
It seems to me that God makes a perfect cowboy. As a tenaciously patient and loving leader, he uses the Holy Spirit to stand at my door and knock. My awareness and willingness to engage drives whether or not we travel the journey together. He persistently pursues — always knocking and waiting for me to respond.
- I know that there are times that God knocks and I miss it — either letting the chaos of daily life distract me from the call, or ignoring the invitation because I fail to get my priorities in the correct order.
- I also know that my hours are better – my days are better – and my life is better when I open the door to my heart and mind to answer the call.
Sharing time with God makes life meaningful. It brings peace to the world’s chaos and reminds me of the importance of centering my life with love. Like a good friend, God offers unconditional strength and support as I travel the journey. The trinity makes a remarkably powerful combination and I have come to realize how important it is to be a part of His team.
There are many farming references in the Bible, and I think that my life is most complete when I am both one of God’s sheep as well as a loving shepard to those whom God places along my path.
Love, strength, and purpose all live on the other side of the door — We simply need to answer the knock.
Feed Yard Foodie 
Beautiful reminders- thank you!
Thank you for the note! I really appreciate it 🙂
Have a wonderful week!
Anne
Anne,
Reading the first part of your post I was thinking about the first calf heifers that J and I are calving out. Our cattle are relatively docile. This group of girls is very lazy. Sometimes it takes a while to check them as we have to push them out of the way to break them apart and get a look at them. Their fight or flight zone is small. Due to this being their first birth experience, we calve all the heifers through the barn. Most of them are easy to walk into the shed and don’t get too excited. Priceless!
I agree with the fact that God has an individualized plan for each one of us. He created us for a specific purpose and gives us the tools, talents and abilities we need to do his will. You are right, there are days we need to open the gate of our hearts and listen more closely. Life is clearer, fuller and better when we are in close relationship with God!
Blessings to you and your family!
Thank you, Robyn! I always enjoy hearing from you. I hope that calving goes well and that the weather is kind to you 🙂
Best,
Anne