I am wild, I am fierce, I am free. I have a mustang spirit. I love to run. I love new experiences. I love to lead. I will take on the world. I will forge a new path. I will not look back. Sounds wonderful doesn't it? To some, it sounds very familiar, to others probably quite scary. That is exactly my point. You see, there are times in our lives when we need the fearlessness of the me steno, mustang in it's original Spanish, and there are times we need a bit in our mouth for direction. The word mesteno really captures the essence of the mustang, it means free running. I just love the sound of that. I can close my eyes and feel the breeze flowing through my hair as I run hard taking in the sights and sounds of an open range where the beauty of the horizon is my destiny. If you haven't figured it out yet, that bit in my mouth thing--not so exhilarating. Yet, the Lord speaks of both occasions in scripture. In Job 39:19-25 God says, "Have you given the horse it's strength or clothed it's neck with a flowing mane? Did you give it the ability to leap like a locust? It's majestic snorting is terrifying! It paws the earth and rejoices in it's strength when it charges out to battle. It laughs at fear and is unafraid. It does not run from the sword. The arrows rattle against it, and the spear and the javelin flash. It paws the ground fiercely and rushes forward into battle when the ram's horn blows. It snorts at the sound of the horn. It senses battle in the distance. It quivers at the captain's commands and the noise of the battle." How awesome and amazing is that? The description reminds me of God's spirit, a fighting spirit. I have no problem letting this rise up in me. I love it, live for it even. But, as I said there are times we also need His direction. There are times I want to run free and it's time to be broken. The good news is He breaks us gently with a loving spirit. If you've ever read up on breaking mustangs, it takes some serious perseverance and patience. You see mustangs, much like me, will not trust you if they sense a spirit of weakness about you. Mustangs need to know they can trust you. You must match their intensity. As they approach you they'll feel you out and size you up. It may take a while for them to allow you to get close enough to them to throw a rope on their back. So the Lord takes us and calls us to Him and He waits for us. He lets us know there is warmth, there is love and there is shelter with Him. He may have to put a bit in our mouth if we're struggling with letting Him lead. Consider James 3:3 "We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in it's mouth." No matter how big we think we are, he can press into us with just a small bit. I wonder what your bit in your life has been? I wonder if it's time for those of us to quit running and come in for our sweet Father to break us? For those that prefer the bit, do you think it's time to let your mane down? Maybe it's time to feel the the gentle breeze and the fire in your belly to just run. Who knows? You might actually enjoy being out of the pen and in the great unknown of the plains of your journey. I think the key lies in finding the balance. I believe the heart of our Father is to allow us the freedom of running the open range along side Him, but He knows when we get a little prideful, maybe even a little ornery that it's time for us to be corralled again.
"I will run the way of your commands,
when you give me a heart that is willing."
Psalm 119:32
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