The Story of Two Horses- Author Unknown
Almost a decade ago, I found the following story on the Internet. When I looked for it again today, I found it on several different websites, but none of them seem to know who authored the story. Sunday morning, we will use this story to serve as a platform for a discussion about our relationship with God and with one another in our church family. Think about that relationship as you read the story.
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing.... Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow. As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray. When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives, to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.... Good friends are like that...You may not always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I’ll listen for yours and remember…we walk by faith and not by sight.- Author Unknown
God loves us (and we should love one another) despite our imperfections. In fact, Paul tells us that God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). Throughout the Old Testament, we read of people with imperfections- Moses (had a speech problem), Jacob (was a cheater), and David (an adulterer and murder) are just three of several we will talk about. As Christians, sometimes we are the young horse- we bear others’ burdens, we look out for their best interests, and we share whatever we have. Sometimes we’re the old horse—we need someone to guide us and help us along through troubles. Our Christian family at Richmond has lots of old and young horses- which are you?
