Trained for the Battle, Led by the Spirit

A couple of years ago, Joe and I went to a dude ranch in Colorado for a few days to get away without the kids prior to him deploying. I was beyond excited to spend time in the mountains horseback riding. On the first day at the dude ranch, the staff matched us up with our prospective horses based on our experience. 

Once paired, we saddled up and hit the mountains. It had been several years since I had been on a horse; however, I eased right back into the saddle. The dude ranch sat in a valley surrounded by yellow fall Aspen trees. It was a breathtaking sight as the majestic Rockies were highlighted with splashes of yellow. I was taking in the beauty as we walked the horse along a stream until the guide yelled, “We were going to have the horses to lope (run) now. Follow my lead.” I gave my horse pressure on his side, signaling him to run. Where my left hand should free flow with the ride with ease, I found myself white-knuckling the saddle horn while my right clung to the reins.

Fear immediately gripped me. Thoughts racing in my head. Maybe I said I was more experienced than I could actually handle. 

After several starts and stops as our group shifted between walking and loping, I finally found my rhythm and started enjoying the ride again.

In all my years of riding, I had never been on an animal that was more sure-footed and intentional with each step as we climbed the mountains. He obeyed every signal I gave him and even sensed when I was fearful, slowing his run. This memory really reminds me of the gentleness that we are called to as followers of God.

Paul, in the letter to the Galatians, tells them to “keep in step with the Spirit.” Then he illustrates for them what the fruit of the Spirit looks like:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness [praotēs] and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
(Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

When we are walking with God, this is evidence of His Spirit within us. It is a supernatural “fruit” that can be experienced through our lives. Gentleness, Praotēs in the Greek, is one of those facets of God’s character. This gentleness or timidity is not a word that connotes weakness, as many in the Western world presume. It means a gentle strength, humility, and meekness. 

In ancient Greek culture, it would have been understood that this gentleness was associated with a wild horse that had been selected for battle. The objective was not to eliminate the horse’s fierce spirit, but to teach the horse to channel it. The horse was effective in battle when its raw power was brought under the control of its rider. This horse would be called “meeked.” Although its power and strength were not diminished, this huge animal learned when to utilize its power during the battle, learning to stay calm and obedient to its rider. 

No one weakened the horse in training. It was still powerful and strong; however, the horse followed the signal of its rider and harnessed its wild nature in the midst of a chaotic battle. When we allow Jesus to take the reins of our lives, like a skilled rider guiding a meeked horse, we submit to His direction and are empowered to carry out His purposes in advancing God's kingdom.

Jesus uses the same root word praos, meaning gentle, mild, and meek, to describe himself:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle (praos) and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV).

Jesus says if you’re experiencing heaviness, He invites us into rest. He uses the metaphor of an oxen yoke, used to harness an oxen to a plow. It was a large, heavy, wooden piece. Yet, Jesus says, take his yoke because He is gentle (praos) and humble. When we embrace Jesus’ yoke, we find rest. 

Paul in Philippians 2:6-8, describes Jesus:

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

Jesus, in all his strength, submitted himself to God.

I want to be like a meek horse, whose strength is brought under the authority of God. As I choose to begin my day with Him by reading the Bible, and submit my day to Him by asking for help to hear His voice, I’ve found that I respond very differently to the chaos I encounter. I’m able to bridle my tongue, react less impulsively, and lead with quiet strength. As I do this, I find that my heart truly enters into rest.

Application:
Take time today—whether during a quiet moment in the morning or before you go to bed—to reflect and respond to the following prompts:

Where Am I Resisting the Reins?

• In what areas of your life do you find it hard to come under God’s authority?

• Are there situations where fear, pride, or the desire to control keep you
  from trusting His lead?

• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any place where you're “white-knuckling the saddle horn,” rather than riding in surrendered confidence.

Prayer:

Jesus, I take Your yoke upon me today. Teach me how to walk with You. Train my heart like that battle horse—to be strong, yet surrendered. Help me to lead with quiet strength and respond to chaos with Your peace.”