Salutations to you! How are you? In just a couple of days we will celebrate the 131st anniversary of the Statehood of Wyoming. On July 10th in 1890 it became the 44th State of the United States and it has been referred to as “The Equality State” because it was the first State to allow for women to vote. (britannica.com) Additionally, Wyoming is home to the city of Cody which has been called “The Rodeo Capital of the World.” (codyyellowstone.org)
Back in the summer of 2003 my family and I were blessed to make a trip to Cody to see a real-life rodeo. It was quite unique to watch bulls bucking their riders and cowboys and cowgirls using lassos from atop of horses and clowns running all over the place. Since my family spent most of our days in the suburbs of the Twin Cities the rodeo was a strange and exciting environment. Looking back on our time out west I think that there are some parallels from the rodeo to the spiritual life that can be drawn out.
The bull making every effort to buck or throw off the rider could be likened to the struggles that we all go through in this life. Jesus himself said that, “In this world you will have troubles, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). We are called to fix our eyes on Christ (Hebrews 12:2) and take up our cross daily to follow after him (Luke 9:23). Thankfully we’re not in this proverbial rodeo on our own.
During the rodeo in Cody an announcer on the overhead public address system would often ask the crowd to support the respective rider or participant by saying, “Help ‘em out, Folks! Help ‘em out!” As followers of Jesus we are called to assist others in their journey of faith, especially when they’re at their lowest. We have other Christian “cowboys” and “cowgirls” to lean on when we’re in need of prayer, friendship, a listening ear, and a helping hand. To “lasso” our material and spiritual needs we rely upon our brothers and sisters here on Earth and our Communion with the Saints in the Heavenly Kingdom. At times in our sojourn, we will also come across metaphorical clowns.
Clowns have an important role to play during rodeos that goes beyond entertaining the crowds. They are also tasked with protecting those who have been bucked by a raging bull by serving as a colorful distraction. It is a dangerous job that could involve a life and death situation. (A brief article about their work can be viewed here: bls.gov/careeroutlook) Some metaphorical clowns that we come across in our life’s journey are parents, teachers, coaches, counselors, and even ordained ministers who help to defend those who are most vulnerable and in need of protection. As a more biblical way to put it, St. Paul wrote that he and his fellow missionaries were “fools for Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:10). We are called to do what may appear foolish in the eyes of the world for the greater Glory of the Lord. May God bless you in the proverbial rodeo of life. Yeehaw!
