HITCH ER’ UP!
“Are you sure”? I asked the old guy. He turned half way around, looked at me with his chin raised as if pointing to my chest with it, one eyebrow raised high for effect and began to speak slowly and deliberately, “Boy”! – “If I tell you the duck can pull the plow – you’d best hitch er’ up”!
I chuckled a bit, he half-grinned as he was turning back around. “You know, that’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard”! I laughed at the adage I’d never heard until right then, half surprised with my southern roots of having missed that little jewel. “Yeah – I guess it is dumb… but you get the point don’t you”? he countered. “I do”! I admitted.
As ridiculous as that sounds that’s how many of us live our lives. We attempt the impossible believing there is a chance it will work. Often those of us that belong to God seem to be the most screwed up. We seek our own will, our desires, and throw an “In Jesus name I pray” to the end of it and can’t understand why the duck won’t pull the plow!
Likewise, there are other times when we limit the God of the universe as if He were limited by one of our fallen soul cages. We live by different rules, things granted to the lost are usually the things that keep them blinded to God’s truth, sadly most often for their entire lives.
The rules of this physical dimension are the same for all of us, but for those of us that know God, know that there is more beyond our senses, much more. The flesh and the laws of this physical dimension seduce and trap us. Living above and beyond the flesh is where our soul finds peace and rest.
Rest in the physical world is temporary, fleeting and always keeps us needing more. The flesh is weak and our senses struggle with that reality. Our eyes see what the lost see, our ears hear what the world hears. Our noses take in what the weak smell, as our nerve endings sense the pleasure of what the world touches.
“Whatever ye ask in My name, it will be given ye,” words from Christ Himself. What I ponder is how those of us who know God and the true desires of His heart can ask for things in this life that aren’t the heart of God? If it’s not asked for with the same desire and heart from God then it’s “Not in My name,” is it?
I’m not saying that God doesn’t bless and grant perfect protection and provision for His chosen, but it might not look like what our mind’s eye, nose, ears, and hands are picturing. God knows our hearts, our strengths, our weaknesses, and what’s good for one might not be good for another.
The trappings of this world are named that for a reason; they trap… they are a snare… they enslave… If God wants the duck to pull the plow – hitch er’ up. In the meantime, maybe we should think twice before trying to strap wings on the wind.
Jay Cookingham
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 8:37 am
I like this line bro’ “Likewise, there are other times when we limit the God of the universe as if He were limited by one of our fallen soul cages.”
As IF we could limit God by our limitations…so glad for grace!
Floyd
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 9:17 am
Thanks Jay. Amen on His grace. I was thinking maybe you could use the duck pulling the plow in your comic strip!
Jay Cookingham
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 9:43 am
LOL…it may just work bro’!
Dan Black
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 11:08 am
I think the key is to be close to God so we get our direction from Him, then be willing to obey. If He says wait then we wait while if He says jump we jump. Great post!
Floyd
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 1:31 pm
I agree Dan, you hit the nail on the head… it’s all about obedience. Well said.
bill (cycleguy)
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 1:55 pm
Gotta admit. This Pennsylvania boy never heard that expression before but I like it! I like your application also Floyd. God says what He means and means what He says. That should be good enough for me or…that duck will pull that plow.
Floyd
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 4:59 pm
Thanks Bill. Yeah, I thought it was pretty clever too. I’m trying to get Jay to use it for his comic strip!
Ngina Otiende
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 6:39 pm
i like your observation – throwing in “in Jesus name” at the end of our thoughts and prayers and expecting it to work. Actually getting suprised when it doesn’t.
Indeed God can have that duck pull that plow. Just that we need to be sure it’s Him, not us ordering our steps.
Great thoughts floyd.
Floyd
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 6:59 pm
Thanks so much Ngina. I’m thrilled to have you visit! Good point, us ordering our steps will lead to a misstep every time.
Hazel Moon
Friday, May 25, 2012 @ 10:14 pm
As we read our Bible and seek God in prayer, perhaps we should hitch up the duck that He is asking us to hitch up.
Some of what he tells us at times weems too difficult, too far out, and perhaps impossible. Again if we can get our “Believer” to work we will be Okay.
Floyd
Saturday, May 26, 2012 @ 7:27 am
I’m with you Hazel. When our heart is seeking the things of our Father, the physical possibilities of this world can’t hold back His power, He is the one who sustains and gives life to this world. Thanks Hazel.
April
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 @ 5:44 am
I cannot even count the number of times I have asked for something in Jesus name that was not “on the menu” of my life and expected God to follow through. I think the better prayer for us would be, God if it’s your will that this happen, then let it be, if not, “Not my will but Yours, Lord”.
Floyd
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 @ 7:04 am
I agree 100%! I think we’re all prone to asking for something that isn’t “on the menu.” I like that, I’ll have to quote you on that one! Thanks April.