Reliant
It’s a curious thing. If someone was to ask me 12 months ago if I would find myself spending endless hours in a barn milking goats I would have laughed. Only because the idea would have been so outside any of my expectations. However, in a life filled with the unexpected, I have found myself in yet another unexpected situation. And, as all good stories go, I have grown and learned so much.
Of course, the there is the obvious. The ins and outs of working with the animals. Pivoting with the changes of each season. Milking during the summer in the mountains was much different than in the valley during winter. Then comes “kid season” where suddenly you have upward to 300 baby goats to care for. Then of course the unexpected and not so pleasant situations arise where things break, kid’s escape, or an animal becomes sick. Each week is an opportunity to work hard and learn more.
In the past, when talking with ranchers and other farmers, I recall them alluding to the personality and patterns of their flock or field. Working with the land and animals gives them a perspective so different than those of us who have spent most of our lives in classroom, office or in front of a screen. They talk about the rhythms of days, weeks, months, seasons and more. They reflect on the reality that what they need to survive and thrive is in many ways out of their control. I’ve been envious of their connection to the land. Their flow with the seasons. Their service to our communities. Something deep inside longed to experience this life. Now I’ve had a taste.
During my time in the barn I’ve come to realize that goats are a curious and surprisingly smart bunch of animals. At first impression heir default response is distance and fear. However, once they become comfortable with me I noticed a shift of behavior to what I call “pre-teen” mode. Sometimes they obey. Sometimes they resist with all they have. Most days they are calm and reliable. Then out of the blue they will do the dumbest thing you could imagine, like getting their head stuck in a fence or jump off the milking platform. Nevertheless, in the end you begin to realize that they mostly want you to take care of them, give them a treat, or use you for a scratching post.
As time passed it became abundantly clear just how utterly reliant they are on the farmer. The balance between life and death for these animals is a real thing. The slightest things can set them on a course of illness or death. Or towards health, safety and productivity. They are 100% reliant on their caretaker. Especially during the winter when they are surviving in the barn during those cold and snowy months.
It sounds silly. But I began to ponder, you know, those existential questions that one thinks about while milking goats. But in reality, I did start to wonder. Are we in a much different place than the goats? Are we not reliant on the provision and protection of our caretaker? Our creator? Our father in heaven?
It’s a humbling thought. But a valid one.
I’m not suggesting that we are on the same level as goats. Clearly, we are more than beasts. However, anyone who looks away from their screen for any length of time will begin to realize that this precious gift of life does weigh in the balance. That all that we need to survive and thrive doesn’t necessarily come from our own hands. But from above.
Then, to take it to the next logical step, one must ask, “is our caretaker worthy of our trust? If so, why? Why not take control of everything into our hands?”
These questions, and many more, have been wrestled with for centuries by minds much sharper than mine. I will not attempt to deeply answer these here. But I do think it worthwhile to simply point out two truths that have shifted my life for the better.
Why not take control? Well…we were not created to live a life on control. But a life of faith, trust and surrender to our creator.
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? ...
- Matthew 6:25-34
And we know that we can trust our creator for His love extends beyond to confines of death. For he laid down his own life so that we may live life abundantly.
We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us…
- 1 John 3:16
So…can we trust our caretaker? In my experience, YES! Is it foolish to live a life of reliance on our creator? NO! For we read that “it was for freedom that Christ set us free.” This freedom is a different type of freedom. It’s not a freedom to do “whatever you please”. It’s freedom from fear, anxiety, doublemindedness, confusion and more. It’s a freedom into peace, clarity, love, joy, abundance. It’s an invitation into an eternal reality that our creator desires we all experience, today!
Who would have thought that a little time in a goat barn would trigger these insights. But I’ve learned that God speaks to me in mysterious ways. And I’m sure he is speaking to you too. Just allow our eyes and ears to be open. And who knows, perhaps you will see him refining your heart and mind toward life and freedom in the most unexpected places.