The Western Area Council of the UCC/Disciples, which I attend as treasurer, has a tradition of soliciting people to do opening and closing devotions for each meeting. You will not be surprised to know that I keep my head down and sit very still as volunteers are sought. Even the slightest movement could be interpreted as an enlistment. At first, I sat out because as the new person, I wanted to know what was expected. Now I sit out because I know what is expected. People are creative and often bring books and visual aids. So, I will continue my pattern of sitting still and keeping quiet when they ask for volunteers.
A couple months ago, someone brought a picture book for devotions and read it aloud for us, turning the pages and showing us pictures, just like in 1st grade. It was wonderful. I knew I would love it when I heard the title of the book: If You’re Riding a Horse and It Dies, Get Off, written by Jim Grant and Char Forsten.
If we could all just absorb this simple wisdom, we would be better off, wouldn’t we? Think of the dead horses we have sat on, kicking our spurs and saying ‘giddy up.’
Everyone around us could see that the horse was dead – that there was no hope for us ever achieving greatness in that field or making the relationship work but we persisted trying to ride a dead horse.
Maybe this time of change in the life of the church is teaching us a thing or two about dead horses. Rather than simply trying to replicate everything we used to do before the time of the pandemic, maybe we should look carefully through the stable and weed out the dead horses, even if they are the ones we have the closest attachment to.
Sometimes the horses we love the most aren’t taking us to the destinations we want to arrive at. Sentimental attachment and loyalty are fine things, but they are no substitute for a live horse – that is, if you ever want to get somewhere.
In our individual lives and in our life as a church, the first question is ‘where do you want to go?’ Knowing that is crucial, but it is also pretty important to know if the horse you’re riding will get you there. If your horse is dead, dismount.
Prayer: Lord, we grow attached to ideas and ways of living that don’t lead us where we want to go. Open our eyes to see the changes we might need to make and grant us courage to make them. Amen.