Cow At A New Gate

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

I had a friend in Oklahoma who had several “cow” sayings. One was, “I felt like a cow at a new gate.” When I asked for an explanation, I learned that dairy cows line up in single file after the lead cow, and walk the same path following each other. They know where to go because the ground under their hoofs becomes trampled and hard and creates a path to their gate. Everything runs smoothly until suddenly the familiar gate no longer exists but, instead, is replaced by a new gate. When there is no tried and true path to that familiar gate, the cow balks at the new gate.

When you find yourself in new territory, presented with a new issue, and immersed in unfamiliar circumstances, you may feel confused and resistant like a cow at a new gate. Cows fear change and often run from new gates. They are fearful, because the new path is unfamiliar, therefore unacceptable, so cows balk.  Like cows, we sometimes adamantly resist change.

Beyond that new gate, God may bring you into a whole new world of ministry. Fear of the unknown is common, nonetheless, uncomfortable to say the least. I covet your prayers as I navigate through the challenge of a new gate.

I choose to look at my “new gate” as an opportunity to learn, grow, and adapt to the new journey. I believe that everything that happens to me must cross the desk of God for His stamp of approval, with His blessing.

I choose to renew my commitment to surrendering my heart and my will to the Providence of God and His will. I choose to overcome confusion and ask God for clarity on how to move forward in my journey when all I want to do is run back to the old familiar gate.

Surrendering includes being willing to let go of what you know, to grasp the unfamiliar unknown. It may feel uncomfortable to embrace something new but it is a mission to love. Trust God to accompany you through it. If God brought you to it, He allowed it, and He trusts you to trust Him.

Father, You know what lies ahead that I do not know or understand. I trust Your loving care for me and my loved ones. You guide and accompany us in our journey of faith and trust. You will accomplish Your purpose.