Perfect Practice

The amount you practice is not the only factor in how well you rope.  Practice does not make perfect . . . perfect practice makes perfect.  This is the mantra of every roper I know that ropes really well and who makes consistent team roping runs, in competition and in the practice pen.  The really good roper is not trying to catch every steer.  They are trying to perfect their communication with their rope horse concerning the next event.  The rope horse needs to put them in the right position, not the easiest position, consistently. When your horse is in the best position for the easiest catch, the result is a trip to the pay window.

The basics of position and consistency don't just make for good ropings.  Outside the arena, our heart needs to be set in the right position for good results.  That is why every month I suggest you ask God if He will guide your heart in Jesus name.  God immediately starts to walk with you as much as you let Him.  In the depths of your heart God begins to reveal to you a new way of seeing things.  He gives you a different position in dealing with life that creates an easier path to walk through your day.  God always gives you peace.  That is His position.  Once you experience it the effects are enormous.  Your relationships, marriage, work, children, future, etc. are changed.  The catch is that you have to yield to Him!  Just like your horse in the practice pen has to yield to you.  That darn horse may think it has an easier way to get around that corner than you.  The problem is you can't catch.  So, the horse has to yield to you because you know where you can catch.  This scenario is no different than trying to walk through your day without God. You think you know the easiest way to accomplish your tasks, but when you yield to Him He shows you the best way. It is a way you can’t see on your own.

God knows where your weak spots are.  He knows how to make things better, and more consistent.  We have to yield to his leadership all the time; not just when we feel like it.  It wouldn't work out so well if our horse always loved the first round and most of the time the second round, but hated the third.  Roping wouldn't be much fun.  Life is not that fun if we try to walk with God Monday through Thursday and sometimes Sunday.  Funny how we want our horse to be more consistent in serving us than we are in serving God with our heart!  His desire to walk through life with us is abundantly more than how badly you want your horse to perform perfectly for you.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 NKJV)

Perfect practice with the right position in life is praying and asking God to help us--any and all the time.  Not being afraid to ask Him to show us something we are not seeing, and to help us walk through life in His position.  He delivers perfect peace, joy and hope when you discover life is not your own.  Life is not perfect, but as we yield to God and follow Him; He positions our hearts perfectly every day, and He makes sure we enjoy life with Him.

Until next month; ride with God,

Travis Klingeman

A daily prayer with purpose: God I thank you for another day.  Today Lord, help me to see things the way you would like me to see them.  I want to be a blessing to people I come in contact with.  I want to have your position on the inside of me; the position of peace, hope, joy, love, and faith in you. Holy Spirit, help me follow in Jesus Name.  Amen