My husband and I were invited to take our horses to a community festival to give horse rides.
Our service consisted of one child after another climbing onto the horse, while we lead the horse around in a circle pattern. We repeat this cycle until all the children have had an opportunity to ride a horse. This event was set up in a community park and upon arrival we immediately noticed a potential obstacle.
There was a train track right next to the grassy area roped off for horse rides. We were informed the trains come by frequently, so we planned to break from riding as soon as we heard the train in the distance.
Horses are one of the most perceptive of all domestic animals. Since they are a prey species, they must be able to detect predators. A stimulus unnoticed by humans is often cause for alarm for horses.The horse has a very fast response time. A prey animal must react instantly to a perceived predator to be able to survive. Horses categorize most experiences in one of two ways: a) something not to fear, so ignore or explore it, and b) something to fear, so flee. So…. we knew, a loud train rolling down the tracks could potentially be perceived as a predator!
My husband is an experienced horseman but I am a novice. I bought my first horse (Skye) seven months prior to this event. She is only 5 years old and is as inexperienced as her owner. So, we anticipated the loud rumble of a freight train would be scary for Skye.
Our activity was moving along smoothly, encountering one smiling child after another. Then in the distance, we heard the faint sounds of the engine.
There I stood, holding a one thousand pound animal with only a halter and a nylon lead rope. Skye was trembling as she stared at her potential predator and I was focused inwardly on my physical inability to hold my beloved horse if she chose to believe I was not trustworthy to keep her safe. Skye began to prance, perspire and raise her head. I could literally feel her tension and her strong instinct to bolt. I knew I could not hold her if she decided to flee. I also knew there was a possibility that she or someone in her path could be injured if she gave into her instinctive energy to escape her perceived danger. I prayed she would endure through the pressure.
Because of the horse’s quick response time there was no time for me to panic. I immediately began stroking her neck with long gentle strokes repeating in a soft voice, “you’re okay, you’re okay”. The stroking was for her, the verbal declaration was for me! I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and every fiber of my being began to relax.
We continued to face the loud speeding train. I could feel the extraordinary presence of her energy, yet, an internal presence of peace anchored me. Skye chose to trust me; yielding to a new level of connection. Together we had overcome fear.
As the train chugged past us, I felt a surge of the Holy Spirit and my inner voice came into total agreement with the truth “I am victorious, more than a conquerer”!
“Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!”
Romans 8:37 TPT
“Paul’s use of the phrase “more than conquerors” only appears one time in the New Testament. It refers to those who “gain a surpassing victory” meaning “to be completely victorious; to carry away an overwhelming victory.” He’s saying the reality is this; we “are” more than conquerors…“present tense, active situation” in other words, Christians “keep on winning a glorious victory.” The fact is that even when all of life is against us, we are still “more than conquerors” and God will strengthen us to live out that glorious victory every day, in spite of how things look to us, or how we feel about our circumstances”.
This week, I invite you to reflect on your title, “more than a conquerer”.