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I wrote this forever ago …like 2009 I think. Sometimes, I need to read it again … and again … and again. Maybe some of y’all do too. XOXO

Have you ever been to a rodeo? Cowboys and cowgirls amaze me. They can take the hardest falls, get trampled, bruised, and battered—but they always get back up, dust themselves off, and jump right back in the saddle. Sure, sometimes the injuries are so bad that they need a little medical attention, but eventually, they return to the circuit, good as new.

Now, I’ve never taken a hard fall from a horse. I ride, but I don’t barrel race or bronco bust—no, thank you! I’ve never truly been in the thick of it. And yet, watching those fearless cowboys and cowgirls, I sometimes wonder if I’d have the guts to do what they do.

Our Christian walk? It’s not so different.

Some people prefer to sit safely in the stands or stay on a slow, steady trot—comfortable, content, and secure in their salvation. And that’s fine. But those who never step out of their comfort zone will never experience the thrill of true faith in action.

Every time a cowboy or cowgirl gets thrown, they learn something new. They walk away stronger, better prepared for the next ride. But those sitting in the stands? They may know the mechanics of riding, but they haven’t studied, practiced, or put in the work to prepare for the rodeo.

It’s the same with faith.

Sitting on the sidelines, you might feel a little thrill watching others do God’s work. But oh man! If you’re the one out there, taking the hits, facing the challenges, pushing through in faith—that’s when you truly experience the ride of a lifetime. That’s when you reap the greatest reward.

Salvation isn’t the end of the road—it’s just the beginning. It’s our ticket to Heaven, but what if we lived every day fighting for God, working for His glory, and truly stepping into our calling?

Prepare for the Fight

Here’s the reality: The moment you jump into the ring—as a prayer warrior, a teacher, a youth leader, a fisher of men—Satan takes notice. And he’s going to do everything he can to knock you off course.

Some Christians? They rarely stumble. They have an unwavering strength, an unshakable trust in God, a fortitude that keeps them steady no matter what comes their way.

Me? I’m not one of those Christians.

I burst out of the gate full of fire, and Satan takes me down—hard. But here’s what I’ve learned: You have to get back up. If you stay down, Satan will stomp the living daylights out of you. That’s what he does. That’s what he wants.

So dust yourself off. Climb back in the saddle. And keep riding.

You’re Not Alone

Ever notice those rodeo clowns? They’re always nearby, ready to step in when a cowboy is in trouble. They distract the bull, give the rider a chance to escape, and help them get back on their feet.

In life, we have those people too. Our church elders, family, and friends—they’re our rodeo clowns. When we take a fall, they’re there to help us, to pull us to safety, to pray for us and encourage us when we feel like we can’t get back up.

And the next time you face the fight, you’ll be better prepared. Oh, Satan will still throw new twists and turns your way—but you’ll be ready.

So COWBOY UP! Get ready for the ride of your life. And remember—at the end of this ride, the reward is far greater than anything we could ever imagine.

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before Me no other god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” – Isaiah 43:10

XOXO, Jani

#FaithInAction #CowboyUp #SpiritualResilience #TrustGod

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