*The
Cowboy*
There is a story of a young rodeo
cowboy who had received a junior college scholarship. Will Malay was bound for
rodeo stardom, if he could overcome just one obstacle. He kept tripping over his
own ego. Sometimes you must listen and take advice from others, realizing no
one knows everything. In rodeo you must have patience. There are two or three
rounds in each event that are averaged for your final score. It is hard to win
all rounds for the luck of the draw determines what animal you get. So one must
keep their average up until they get the right draw, the one they can really
score on, the one that pushes them over the top.
Will had yet to learn any of these lessons for he pushed everything to the limit. His theory of being top dog always meant risking it all, of getting the top score or nothing. This inconsistency kept the team from winning any rodeos, and Will from winning any individual titles. This attitude drove the rodeo coach wild. In the last rodeo Will only had to ride a bull and post a score for his team to win. But Will, wanting to show off his stuff and win it all, began pushing it to the hilt for more points, and was thrown off. The team went from first place to a tie for sixth place. This was the last straw for the coach and he called Will into his office when they returned. “ Will, I am kicking you off the team after your last fiasco. The state championship is all that is left and I want to recruit some of the high school competitors that will be there. I don’t want them to see your attitude. I want team players.” Will was shocked. The coach was kicking the star off the team. How could they win without him? He blurted out, “You don’t mean that. This is state. All my family will be there as well as coaches recruiting for college. This is my big chance, you have to let me compete.” The coach and Will finally struck a deal. The coach would let Will participate at state, if he would help coach the team, especially Ray. Ray was only a notch below Will in ability, but he tended to freeze up under the pressures of competition. Hopefully if Will could get him to relax a little, Ray could reach his full potential.
Will began working with the team and after the rough edges and hard feelings wore off, things began to go smoothly. Will began to enjoy the friendship, respect, and camaraderie of some pretty good people. He was becoming fast friends with Ray. Will would often tease Ray telling him the bucking bull was just like riding a rocking chair with a head on it. Before long Ray was giving Will a hard time right back and they were riding bulls better than they ever had. Will was sure with a little luck Ray could win the all around. All that would be needed was for Will to divert Ray’s attention with their little games to keep him from being nervous.
The rodeo soon came and Ray was
doing well with Will there teasing him on. The competition was tough and had
come down to the last event to determine the team and all around champions. Ray
was in the lead and with just a decent ride would win the all round title and
clinch the team championship. The coach stopped by to talk with Will. “Ray is
doing real well, you are not doing so bad either. Are
you both ready for your final rides?” Will quipped back, “This has nothing to
do with me, this is Ray’s rodeo, and I’ll do everything in my power including
gluing him to the bull in order for him to win.”
Will had drawn one of the toughest bulls just
ahead of Ray. Will decided not to do anything fancy just ride the bull through
and completely control him. If he fell off it might take away some of the
confidence that Ray needed. Besides there was no way he wasn’t going to hurry
back and talk with Ray before he rode the last bull. Will’s bull was rank, but
he just relaxed and hung in there with him. When the buzzer sounded Will jumped
off and ran back to the chute to see Ray. There was a whole lot of applause so
his ride couldn’t have been half bad. Will was in such a hurry, concentrating
on getting to Ray that he did not catch his score, but it did not matter. All
that was needed was a decent ride by Ray. Will jumped
up on the outside of the chute where Ray was getting on his bull. “These bulls
aren’t that tough,” Will said jokingly. “I had a
ranker bull then you have, and it was no harder than rocking in my grandma’s
rocking chair. Relax, concentrate, and you have it made.” The gleam in Ray’s
eyes told Will he had done his job.
Ray latched onto that bull and hung on for dear life. Will watched the ride cheering Ray on. It had not been the greatest bull ride, but it should be enough for Ray and the team to win. Throwing his hat in the air, Will ran over and hugged the coach. “Ray did it! Ray did it!” Will yelled, not letting the coach get a word in edge wise. “This is the best moment I have ever had. Having Ray win the all round and the team win state. This is much better than winning anything myself. Thanks for making me work with these guys and getting my head cleared.”
Then Ray was there and they heard the loudspeaker boom, “The winner of the bull riding and all around cowboy title is Will Malay.” Will turned around to the coach, “They have the wrong guy, Ray is the winner.” But the coach just smiled and replied, “Will, the ride you had on the bull before Ray was the best bull ride I have ever seen at the junior college level. You deserve the title.” Will looked over at Ray and said, “This was supposed to be your rodeo. You did so well, you deserve the title.” But Ray began pushing Will toward the center of the arena and quietly said, “I’ve really enjoyed working with you champ. Now go out and get your trophy.”
Will went out to get his all
around cowboy title with a different attitude. He was part of a team. When he had focused on others, it had only
brought out the best in himself.
Faith with humility is just like
the story. When we focus on Christ and do His will, it only brings out the very
best in us. For the battle is not to see who can do the most or be the top dog.
The battle is for the greatest to become the least, a servant to all for Jesus.
When one focuses on Christ they are not even aware of all His love they are
spreading. They will even be more surprised at all the blessings the Lord has
waiting for them in Heaven above. So let it be dear Lord.