Thoughts from here and there…Load the Wagon!

Thoughts from here and there…Load the Wagon!

Life is full of obstacles. Some of them are minor and cause you little concern, these are the mole hills. But there are mountains which have to be climbed. There are valleys that have to be crossed. And there are bridges which have to be negotiated. Sometimes you stand for a moment and survey the scene and the obstacle appears so great that there does not seem to be a way to deal with it. We might listen to the words of a former NFL coach and broadcaster.

John Madden was the color commentator for Monday Night Football, and he was a professional football coach. He was once asked what words of encouragement he gave to his team at half-time.

He replied: “Don’t worry about going blind! Just load the wagon!” He confessed later that he didn’t have the vaguest idea of what this meant but, it appeared to work!

Well he misquoted the expression. I looked it up and it ought to read: “Don’t worry about the horse going blind, just load the wagon.” Still, you have to ask what such an expression might mean.

The sentence came from a paraphrase of the quotation that is to be found in a sermon by Bishop Robert Spain of KY as quoted by Dr. John Bardsley.

What it really means is this. A blind horse guided by a sighted driver will always make the trip successfully. For us the conclusion is rather obvious: “Get on with it! (The work of Christ!) There’s no place for defeatism or negativism.

Does this appear to be too harsh a way of stating the obvious? I do not believe so. As Paul writes, “I can do all things through him (that is Christ) who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13, NRSVA). Perhaps he could, but if he could so can you and me.

This promise is all-inclusive. We may be blind, but Jesus is the light. We may be weak, Jesus offers strength. We may be ignorant, Jesus offers truth. Whatever our need there is a remedy in Christ. So take heart. Load the wagon.