The male stallion is the toughest horse to break but the greatest work horse on
any farm. Their temperament varies widely based on genetics
and instincts as herd animals, so they require
careful management by owners. But with proper training stallions can become efficient
work horses and even successful athletes, competing in the highest levels in horse racing
events and the Olympic
Games.
Domesticated stallions are trained and managed in a variety of ways,
depending on the owner’s purpose and the stallion’s temperament. In all cases
stallions have an inborn tendency to attempt to dominate both other horses and owners.
They will also be affected to some degree by the proximity of other horses,
especially mares. Stallions must
be trained to behave with respect toward humans at all times or else their
natural aggressiveness has been known to cause serious injury and even death.
The ‘breaking’ of stallions usually follows one of many management
systems, such as confinement, natural, harem or bachelor systems. For instance,
in the harem model the stallion is allowed to run loose with mares. But in the bachelor
model, stallions are kept in a male-only group with other stallions and
geldings (castrated). Ideally stallions are to be periodically managed in
multiple systems, depending on the season of the year, personality of the
stallion and purpose of their use.
The owner must understand that a stallion’s nature is to
procreate and fight for dominance. When
a stallion’s libido is aroused he becomes a superhorse. His hormones – mixed
with testosterone and adrenalin – are similar to rocket fuel, powering his
strength and determination tenfold. Nothing stands in his way and he may even
be willing to fight to the death.
All his hormonal and instinctual drives are still present and
without the correct training the owner will have a very frustrated or depressed
stallion on their hands, with potential consequences. An easy alternative is to
castrate the stallion which will reduce its aggression. However, all hope of
reproducing is eliminated. Time, patience, care and much expense are required by
the owner, but with a bit of luck the stallion can become very profitable, rewarding
and trustworthy companion.1
Broken and Restored: The Journey of Every Believer
Most assuredly, I
say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,
it remains alone;
but if it dies, it produces much grain.
John 12:24 NKJV
The illustration of the
stallion shows how even the most difficult horses can be trained to become an
Olympic champion. The process of breaking is the necessary requirement based on
the skill of the owner to achieve the stallion’s greatest potential. Likewise,
no matter how difficult a believer’s upbringing or baggage, God in His grace
and mercy can teach and equip them to realising greatness and incredible destiny.
The subject
of breaking is throughout scripture
and a necessary season each Christian will likely at some stage in their life
personally experience to some degree. Normal and flawed people in the bible
were broken by God which later resulted in either a change of nature, name or
character. For instance, Jacob was a deceiver but after wrestling with God his
character transformed into Israel and
walked with a limp. Job was a righteous man but after being tested greatly he became
a humbled man of God, later declaring, My
ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you (Job 42:5).
Others
in scripture were broken by God which resulted in propelling them into their calling.
Paul was a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the early church. But after encountering
Jesus he describes in his ministry as constantly having a thorn in his flesh of persecutions, which by the grace of God was
used to excel him as a powerful servant of the gospel. Even Jesus Himself, the
Son of God, was broken in Gethsemane - or olive press - where He was asked to submit
to the will of God and be crucified for the sins of the world.
Jesus was very clear on this subject
and said, unless a grain of wheat falls
into the ground and dies, it remains alone…. Left alone we can only reach
so far with God. Even as Christians we can still own our lives and settle in
our faith. We can become complacent or lose our first love after years of busy
church life. Mediocrity will then become normal and a once grateful, soft heart
can soon become distant and religious.
However, if it dies it produces much grain. Brokenness
is a place of dying to the flesh and becoming completely dependent on God. It
is described as the final key to being an effective Christian, where every area
of your life is freely given to Him. And when your life is given
completely to God, He can take us places we would never be able to reach. We
all face difficulties and challenges in life. But as a believer we must understand
that we have the life-giving seed of God on the inside of us.
It is doubtful God can use you greatly until he has broken
you deeply.
A.W Tozer, pastor and author (1897–1963)
A.W Tozer, pastor and author (1897–1963)
When
we go through disappointments or suffering, you may feel like you have been
buried. You may feel like you are in a dark and lonely place. And you may feel
like it is the end. But in reality, with an eternal mindset, it is only the
beginning. The fact is you have not been buried; you have been planted. You are on the come back! And
not only are you coming back, but you are coming back on the increase, better
and stronger than before, with a testimony others need to hear.
There
is always a divine purpose in where God is doing a mighty work within you and a
place of restoration is ahead! The best place about being in rock bottom is
there is only one way to turn; up with Jesus who is your Rock. When God leads
us into difficult seasons we need to think about what areas He desires for us
to change.
Hosea
6:1-2 says, Come, let us return to the
LORD. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but He
will bind up our wounds. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He
will restore us, that we may live in His presence.
Perhaps you have known someone or have personally
experienced one of several of these life changing rock bottom seasons. No one
adversity or suffering is worse than another. Each of us will face some type of
tremendous loss that can potentially derail your life and impact around you.
But again, always know that God will never
leave you there. It is merely a season or an unspecified period of time
with a primary purpose God intends to use for good.
God’s
process in your life is very specific as well as very purpose orientated. His
main objective, I have found in all things, is so that we can become more like
Christ and to die to the sinful nature. I would even venture to say that the measure you are used by God is at some
point determined by the level of brokenness you have experienced with Him. And
just like the stallion, once broken, you have the potential of becoming an
Olympic champion. A vessel of gold in His house, useful to the Master and
prepared to do any good work.
