Trail Tract #4 - Dependable Packhorse by Elwin Wines
Paso was about 1400 lbs. of Draft/Morgan cross and wore a #2 shoe. Tom had been telling me what an excellent horse he was--would do anything asked of him. I was short one pack horse for an elk hunting trip into the Frank Church Wilderness of Idaho, so asked Tom about borrowing Paso. "Sure, take him along."
We
packed a long day in to camp and Paso carried his share and then some,
never bumping a tree or rock. At camp he skidded in campfire wood, and as luck would have it,
we soon had meat to pack.
One
big 6-point bull was very difficult to get to with the horses: lots of pole patches, downfall, and a long ways off the main
trail. We finally got loaded up but couldn't lead a string of pack animals through that mess, so
I took one pack horse, my son another, and we turned Paso loose to find
his own way out. He knew where the trail was, and where camp was, so set out on his own by as
direct a route as possible. We watched him work his magic, ever so carefully testing each resistance,
pushing his way through pole patches, actually uprooting trees with
his load, negotiating downed timber, until finally he broke into the
clear and led the way directly to camp. He had certainly proven his dependability.
I wonder: Can God depend on me to be as dependable, faithful, true, and see a task thru'? Can God depend on me to fulfill my calling in service to Him, to pray till the answer comes, to witness as opportunity arises, to resist temptation to sin, to "Press toward the goal of my high calling in Christ Jesus (Ph. 3:14)," to "Take up my cross daily and follow Him (Matt 16:24)?"
Friend, God didn't embody Himself in Jesus and go to the cross to die for you and me just to hang another trophy on the wall. He did it because hell is the alternative to heaven, so out of love and mercy he offers to save us, not only for heaven but for service here and now. He calls us to "Fight the good fight...to finish the course...to keep the faith (II Tim. 4:7)." When Paso led us back to camp we sure rewarded him with amazed affection and appreciation. When I reach my heavenly home I hope to hear God say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of thy Lord" (Mt 25:21).
Friend, if you have been bucking off your pack, if you have been running off in the wrong direction, if you have had to be snubbed down and put on a short lead, if you have not been dependable to God's call to holiness and service, I encourage you to pray the following prayer: "Heavenly Father, I confess that I have not been responsive and dependable in my relationship with you. Forgive my sin and load me up however you choose. Lord, 'I can (and will) do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Ph 4:13).'
But Lord, don't turn me loose. Lead me. Thanks. Amen."
If this has been your prayer, contact us at C.T.R.F. so we can rejoice with you. Praise the Lord!!
