Point Man

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them.  John 10:4

Years ago, we were fortunate to have a family with a young son, Coop, who lived directly across the street.  Coop, would put on his Davy Crockett cap, dress himself in western gear, grab a stick, and ring our doorbell periodically.  When we opened the door, he would say, “Morning, I’m scouting for wild animals and strangers. Can I hunt them in your back yard?”  Of course,” we would say, “but do you need any help?”  “Nope,” he would reply, “It’s my job!”  We would run to the back window to watch him “hunting” while his Dad could be seen hiding behind a tree to keep watch on him.

During forty six years of marriage, I have been fortunate to learn so many interesting facts about Westerns.  It appears, according to my resident expert, that the basis for many stories and movies about the Old West used cattle drives to set the scene.  You always have the good guys, the bad guys, and the notorious rustlers and outlaws.

One of the most honored positions on the cattle drive was the point rider.  This guy determined the direction of the drive, controlled the speed of the drive, and basically gave the herd someone to follow.  I am told that in serious situations, he also rode ahead to scout out danger, i.e., Indian attacks.  John Wayne was the best trail boss I’ve heard.

On many occasions the point man left the herd to ride ahead or scout out the area ahead of the drive.  He would come back and report danger, water sources, terrain, and paths he thought best.  The rest of the drive waited for him to return while confident that he would be able to give them all they needed to know about what lay ahead.

In Biblical days, the shepherd always walked ahead of his sheep much like the point man.  He was always in front of the sheep to protect them from danger.  Whatever danger came, it had to take on the shepherd first.

I like to think of God as the point man in our lives.  He can help us determine the direction of our lives, determine the pace with which we attack problems and dilemmas that enter our lives, and He gives us someone to follow.

The blessed life would be one which sees us not anxious to see far down the road of life but rather trusting the point man to take care of it.  It would be a life not overly concerned about the next step or path, not weighed down with the future, but quietly following the shepherd or point man.

God is out in front always walking ahead of us into our tomorrows.  It seems the tomorrows of our lives fill us with fear, but God is already there.  Everything that is ahead of us has to pass through Him before it can get to us.  It’s His job.