Chicken Little or Chicken Big?
One of the interesting things I've been made aware of
since taking up horseback riding is that horses have very different
personalities. Some are leaders and some are followers. Some are at the
"head" of the herd and do everything in their power to stay there, while
others are at the "tail". Some want a routine; others want to be free to
structure their own time. Some have a high work ethic; others are lazy. Some
shy at everything; others can't be phased.
The horse I ride is a 17-hand, bay thoroughbred, one that was rescued off
the race track. He's at the top of the pecking order in his little "herd", a
position he shares with the only mare. He is a gentle as a lamb with humans,
but he doesn't hesitate to remind the other horses of who is the boss. He's
a bit on the lazy side and mostly he's slow; but he does enjoy a good gallop
whenever it is allowed. The interesting thing is that although he's at the
top of the pecking order, when going out for a ride along the road, he
refuses to be the lead horse! He shies, he refuses, he walks backwards, he
tosses his head, and if he can be convinced to lead, he shies at garbage,
mail boxes, funny-shaped branches on the ground, anything. It's an
interesting trait for a horse who once was a successful racehorse!
My youngest son rides a handsome pinto pony. The pony is somewhere in the
middle of the pecking order, and he loves to work. He's fast, he's frisky,
and he can jump amazingly high barriers, despite his lack of physical
height. But he's not a leader, either.
The other day I was having my riding lesson with a girl who also rides the
pinto pony. To cool the horses down at the end of our lesson, we wanted to
take a walk down the road. Only one little problem: Neither horse would go
first. They backed up. They reared. They put their heads down and refused to
move. They walked sideways. They did everything except lead the way.
Our riding instructor started to laugh: "Oh, No! It's Chicken Little and
Chicken Big!"
Only after much encouragement did "Chicken Little"--the pinto pony-- finally
exit the farmyard. It was amazing how quickly "Chicken Big"--my former race
horse--suddenly forgot his fear and followed on!
In all, it reminds me of humans. There are the ones who bully their way to
the top. They climb the ladder of success by knocking down and treading upon
those who stand in their way. They take no thought of the hurt they may
cause, and once they reach the top, they do not stop reminding everyone of
who is in charge. But are they true leaders? In a push-comes-to-shove
situation, will they stand up for the rest? Will they be willing to
sacrifice themselves for others?
There are two other horses that warrant mention in the herd at the barn
where we ride. One is a striking Palomino, the one my other son rides, and
the other is a black thoroughbred. Their positions in the pecking order are
last and second to last, but they don't seem to mind. They simply submit to
the authority of those above them. Interestingly, when we take the horses
out for a ride along the road, these are the only two with courage enough to
lead!
They aren't given any thanks, however. Once back in the barn, the bay
thoroughbred I ride lays back his ears or stamps his foot, and the other two
are instantly back in their positions at the bottom of the pecking order.
Now, that's thanks for you!
We've all met people who are like these two horses as well. These are the
ones who humbly submit to authority, who simply sit back and do their jobs
and do nothing to stop those who would rise to positions of importance. But
what happens when problems arise? What happens when someone is needed to
step forward and assume responsibility? What happens when someone is needed
to sacrifice self for the good of other? Isn't it generally the underdog who
then rises to the occasion? But once the crisis is over, the "leader", the
one who has cowered behind in the crisis, quickly retakes his place in the
seat of honour.
Friends, we all know people in both categories. In fact, many of us ARE
people in both categories! Let's remember Jesus' advice: "Indeed there
are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."
(Luke 13:30 NIV) It isn't where we stand in the human "pecking order" that
matters. Rather, it is where we stand in God's eyes!
How much better the world would be if we would all be content to be
"Palominos" and "black thoroughbreds". If we could all be people who don't
even try to take the places of honour, and instead humbly stand back and let
others claim the glory they crave. Let's all be ready, however, to humbly
move forward to lend a helping hand when it is needed, and not get worried
about whether we get the glory for it or not. Instead, let's just humbly go
back to our positions of servitude, ever knowing that "the last will be
first, and the first will be last." (Matt 20:16 NIV)
In His love, Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Mother of two teens, Speech-Language
Pathologist, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet
newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian
devotionals and inspirational poems,
www.scripturalnuggets.org,
with Answers2Prayer Ministries,
www.Answers2Prayer.org.