Be the One (Be Cowboy, part 2)

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your father in heaven.”
Matthew 6:1

Last week, I encouraged you and myself to display the characteristics listed in the chorus of Chevel Shepherd’s song Be Cowboy. We were encouraged to be tough, to love, to be strong for others, be honest, to stand on a firm foundation even if it means standing alone. We were encouraged to be Better, Braver, Bolder.

The bridge of this great song says: “There’s a whole lotta people, in this world today. Who don’t even know that they got what it takes to be cowboy.”

I believe there are a whole lotta people in this world who don’t think they can be a Christian because of what they’ve done, because they feel unworthy, because for whatever reason God can’t love them.

This week, I want encourage all of us to be the one. The one who lives in such a way that shows the world God can and does love it and all the people in it and all they have to do is believe.

The verse of Be Cowboy:

“Be the one who does the right thing when there’s no one else around.

Be the one who runs into the flames when the house is burning down.”

Both of these lines talk about doing the right sing for the sake of the right thing. Matthew talks about not doing things in order to bring attention and honor to ourselves. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do… and on the streets, to be honored by men” (Matthew 6:2). He goes further saying that rather than drawing attention to ourselves by praying long, eloquent prayers in public, we should pray privately (Matthew 6:5-6). In both instances those who chose to bring glory to themselves forfeit what God has waiting for them. So just do the next right thing because it is the right thing to do. God is watching and so are the unbelievers among us.

“Be the one that holds on harder when it’s harder to hold one.
Be the one who keeps believing when you think that your hope is gone.”

King David and the Psalmists speak often about holding on and about being held when it seems like the worst is about to happen. “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters” (2 Samuel 22:17). In the New Testament book of Hebrews we are encouraged by these words: “But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast” (Hebrews 3:6). Scripture is all about holding on when it appears that all hope is gone and those that do find healing and future of abundant living.

I know that things seem pretty bleak right now but as followers of Jesus, we have the power to be better, braver and bolder as we stand firmly in our faith. A faith that when we live it out and speak the truth of the Gospel will show others there is a way to hope, a way to forgiveness and healing, a way to an abundant life that lasts for eternity. What do you think? Will you be better, braver, bolder – will you be the one who brings a person in need all that Jesus has to offer.

Check out Chevel Shepherd’s Be Cowboy https://youtu.be/uVYh6ZmBS9A

A Prayer
Father – You see everything we do. Help us to only care about pleasing you and bringing you glory and honor. Help us to be the ones who are bringing your hope, peace, forgiveness, healing and love to a world filled with people who are afraid, angry, selfish and feeling unworthy. Thank you for giving us everything we need to do your will. In the name of Jesus, who is The ONE who makes us better, braver, bolder way. Amen.