Many truths can be learned from rodeo

This article is dedicated to my barber Jeremiah Quick (Sikeston Rodeo chairman) and the incredible Jaycees of Sikeston

Rodeo week is just around the corner with the parade on Aug. 7 at 10 a.m., the rodeo Aug. 11-14, and this year the Rodeo Revival will be held at First Baptist Church Aug. 8-11 (fbcsikeston.org).

I have had allot of exposure to horses and rodeo as I grew up trail riding and our parents taking us to local rodeos. In fact, my brother just retired from being an active rodeo clown in regional rodeos (yes he is a little bit crazy, but I love him).

Since 1934, Sikeston has hosted one of the greatest outdoor rodeos in the entire country and raised lots of money for charity. Let’s talk about some truths we can learn from the sport of rodeo.

First, there is a truth that “it is not if you get hurt, but when.” The fact is if you are going to do a sport that is as dangerous as rodeo you will be hurt. In the same way, if you choose to live like the devil and embrace a life that is against God, you will get hurt. For example, hanging with the wrong type of people will lead you to destruction.

Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

Or the person who know they are traveling toward evil and keeps going will be destroyed.

Proverbs 27:12 ”A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

Another point about rodeo is if you want to win, you have to get back on the horse or bull. A lot of people never get a win in life, because they quit. If you fall down doing something worth doing don’t stop, but get back up. Nothing worth doing ever happens by stopping.

Proverbs 24:16 ”For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

One of the most tragic moments in rodeo was July 30,1989, when the 1987 Bull Riding Champion Lane Frost got on the bull “Takin’ Care of Business” and he was tragically killed by the bull.

Just like Lane no one knows when it will be their last ride and they will breathe there last here on earth. Only a year earlier Lane Frost prepared for his last ride by putting his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (lanefrostchallenge.com).

What this means is when he was crushed by that bull he went to be with Jesus in Heaven. If you have to make sure you are ready to meet your maker by putting your faith in Jesus who died for sins and rose from the dead.

John 3:36 “36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

If you have a question you would like answered for future columns email mathewvroman@gmail.com