The Cowboy Way and Christ
Almost every cowboy and cowgirl will tell you that they live by a code, "The Cowboy Way". Judge Charley Gullet in his book "Cowboy Action Shooting" wrote the following essay on what "The Cowboy Way" is.
The Cowboy Way
Being a Cowboy is doing the right thing; common
wisdom born of simple virtues and strong ideals.
Above all, it is a strict adherence to honesty even
when it is not in our best interests. It is having an
inherent sense of justice in a world where the cards
are often stacked against us. We try to hold
enough common sense to recognize the value of a
lost cause and the cost of lost values. Generally
speaking, we are quietly reserved in all things except
freedom, fresh air and Saturday night. We have a keen
eye for a good horse, a good gun, and a good Cowgirl.
(Cowgirls may insert the word Cowboy here.)
Constant to friends, we are more so when friends need
us, less so when they don't. Familiar with hard
work we also know hard knocks and hard roads.
Often given to tears when lesser individuals would
display indifference; we are as well given to joy in a few
places others would only find disdain. We enjoy
plain living, not because we relish doing without,
but because we have discovered the treasures within.
And, finally, we have that elusive emotion called
courage which is, at worst, a badly directed sense of
conceit and, at best, it is the stuff
of which dreams are made. . . .
Judge Charly Gullett--1995
Years before Charly wrote his essay Gene Autry came out with a Cowboy Code, and for many of us it is the code we grew up with. We prided ourselves in being like the real cowboys (of course most of us now know what the real cowboy was really like). The thing is we looked up to the men, and the ideas that they lived by. Today as we compete in this fine sport we pride ourselves in helping others, working hard to make a shoot work, making sure every one gets an honest shake, respecting others and their property, and a list of other ideas listed in the "Code".
Well folks, most of what Charly and Gene put down are fine ideas, and ones we should live by. But I got me a little secret to tell all ya'll. Now lean into the fire a little bit cause I want all ya'll to get this straight. Closer, a little closer. That's it! Now the secret is..............old Gene and Charly didn't come up with this first.............Christ did! Ok, maybe He didn't think of it, but He told the world where He got it from, God our Father in Heaven!
That's right, before there was anyone on the cattle trails to Kansas our Lord and King Jesus Christ was already telling everyone about "The Cowboy Way". Not only was He telling everyone, He was living it, and I mean all of it, every minute of every day.
Some of you are probably asking where I am going with this.
First off, if you are a Christian you need to give credit where credit is due, and that's Christ Jesus. When we say we live "The Cowboy Way" intentionally or not we are denying the master of our lives. It may not seem like it but we are giving others credit for what Christ has done. None of them other fellers hung from a cross for us. None of those others washed the stain of sin from us with their blood. Only Christ did.
We need to "Ride For The Brand", which is the cross, each and everyday. When people see how we act and how we treat others we want them to see Christ in us. This means we should live our lives like Christ did. Christ did not live and act the way he did only around people who participated in a sport with him. He loved all, even when he was rebuking them for their sinful ways, and we should too. Everyday we should claim the mind of Christ so that the world can see His light shining in us. Folks may still see a cowboy or cowgirl, but they'll know that we ride with our Savior. And when some one says "He lives the Cowboy Way," we should look them square in the eye and say "No sir, I live for Christ."
But some of you may be asking, "I'm a good person, I do good things, I use my money to help others. I live the Cowboy Way. Why should I let Christ be the Lord of your life?" Real simple folks, for your salvation
I've met a passel of cowboys and cowgirls that are the salt of the earth. They'll give you the shirt off their back and the last penny they have if you need it, but they do not know Christ. Worse yet some have heard the truth of Christ and have rejected him. Folks no matter how good you are, no matter how many good works you do, no matter how much money you have you can not earn or buy your salvation. In fact nothing but faith in Jesus can bring you salvation. John 14:6 says "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to Father, but by Me." This means simply that there is only one way to God, through Christ Jesus. You need to open the door and let Christ into your life. He is knocking, all you have to do is open the door and receive the salvation he offers.
Do you know how you stand with God? If you are not sure then I invite you, all of you, to read Finding Peace With God and see what is separating you from the life God meant you to have.
Don't think you're good enough. Think you need to straighten your life out first. Partners you can't fix it on your own. Our Lord knows that. But folks he throws a mighty big loop. He has room for all and it doesn't matter where you are in your life. He'll pull you out of the brush and move you to the lush pasture land the Father has promised. And unlike some folks he doesn't cull his herd. He accepts all for he knows we are all sinners in need of what he offers freely.
Well compadres I've bent your ears long enough. I leave you with a few parting words though: Give yourself totally over to Christ as your Lord. Let He who came down from the throne of glory take control of your life. Then you will receive the salvation and abundant life that He has promised each and everyone of us.
Your Brother In Christ,
Dirty Foot