The Brush Thicket
- January 2, 2015
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- Wendel Elliott
Posted in: Ranch Life
If you’re a rancher or farmer then you may have had struggles with or had some experience in brush control. If you haven’t tried any “solutions”, then you’ve probably at least thought about ways to control the problem.
Not too long ago, I was helping a friend gather some cattle and found myself following up behind a few, headed into a small brush thicket. I saw them duck into the white brush and seeing the trail, followed right in there after them. The further I went of course the worse it got. At first, that line of brush was up to my knees. Then it got to where it was up to my shoulders. All of a sudden it looked like my horse, Cade, and I had been parked for several years and the brush had grown up around us. We had become part of that thicket. I could hear the cows and see the top of the brush move around as they navigated like a sailor in rough seas. Cade and I came to a stop; not being able to penetrate the dense wall in front of us. I looked around and thought, “Cade, what have I gotten us into now?” I glanced to the left and then to the right. There was nothing but another wall on each side. I turned in my saddle to look over my shoulder and the trail I came down seemed to have been swallowed up. I felt helpless and useless as I looked around and knew I was behind in the gather. There I was at a standstill, entangled in the brush.
Maybe for you and your part of the country it might be marshy or boggy country. It might have a similar effect. You may have found yourself stuck and tangled up in the muck and mud.
You might not have been there on horseback but we’ve all been entangled. We’ve all been entangled in sin as in Hebrews 12:1, “…the sin that so easily entangles…” (NIV) Are you feeling like you’re trapped, helpless, and useless in the middle of a thicket of sin? Take heart and don’t be discouraged!
If you look at Hebrews 12:1-3 it says, “1 Therefore, (referring to Hebrews chapter 11, which I encourage you to read) since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (NIV)
You know in the middle of that brush that day, me and ole Cade, persevered and picked our way through. We “threw off” a few branches in the process, not growing weary, or losing heart. We continued on to find the cattle and ended the gather on a good note. With your situation do the same. Throw off those things and sin that keep you all tied up. Fix your eyes on Jesus and run with perseverance. Work your way through that brush that seeks to entangle you. Throw those branches and limbs off. Then ride on down the trail before you, head lifted high, with your eyes on the Son.
Well, I better tend to a little brush control. I’ll see ya’ll out in the pasture!
Posted in: Ranch Life
About Wendel Elliott
Wendel Elliott is a cowboy preacher, serving right at six years as pastor of Big Bend Cowboy Church in Alpine, TX. He also manages a cow/calf operation in the area. Wendel's writing and messages come straight from ranching experiences and the Western way of life....