He’ll Do To Ride The River
Do we spend enough time thinking about our own reputation? That includes how others perceive us to be.
It seems to me we’re building a society that doesn’t give a hoot about public integrity, as long as we can get whatever we want. Many actors and sports personalities seem to be either heroes or flaunt reputation as a privilege of their position of fame and fortune.
Life Or Death Matter
In the Old West, reputation meant the difference between survival and death. So, they guarded that commodity. For many a cowboy, his reputation meant the only thing he could rightly call his own. Over the years, lots of terms sprang up to describe a man of character. But none ranked more colorful or meaningful than the phrase, “He’ll do to ride the river with.” It’s still the highest compliment that can be paid to any cowman.
Phrase Background
It began in the days of the old trail drives. Cowboys had to swim thousands of heads of cattle across dozens of swollen and dangerous rivers. To make it across required men of exceptional skill, courage, and level-headed thinking. As time passed, it meant anyone loyal, dependable, trustworthy and with plenty of sand. This one you could trust your life to in a dangerous situation. You knew he wouldn’t let you down.
Spiritual Sand
The Bible describes the best kind of church leader. “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap” (I Timothy 3:7). That’s someone we can count on to make good decisions. He’ll seek the Lord’s wisdom. He’ll keep his commitment to his family, church, friends and his God. A man like this will keep a cool head in a crisis.
He’s also physically, mentally, and spiritually tough and courageous. He’ll help others through the trials, testing, and tribulations that intersect all our lives. We need leaders in every church wo will do to ride the river with. Come to think about it, no matter your occupation or ministry, that’s a good goal for all of us.
Stephen Bly
Circa 1993
Cow Across River Image by Nga Le from Pixabay
Cowboy Along River Image by berkanbicakhan from Pixabay
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“He’ll Do To Ride The River” audio podcast by award-winning western author Stephen Bly.
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