“Walk your horses, please!” came the voice over the announcer’s stand. “Trot! Please trot your horses!” If you’ve ever been in the audience at a horse show, these simple commands would be very familiar. When evaluating the training and performance of a horse, it is necessary to put him through a series of changes. These changes, called transitions, range from very simple “walk-trot-canter” to complex arena patterns at varying ranges of speed and complexity. They reflect the relationship the horse has with the trainer. When the relationship is strong, the transitions seem to be smooth, almost imperceptible, like the gliding of an automatic transmission in a car. However, in order for a horse to arrive at that stage, there is a lot of homework outside the show pen.

In fact, when I am working with a group of students who have never cantered their newly mounted and ridden two-year-olds, I often take them to the bottom of a hill, where they will have opportunity to canter for the first time as they ride up the hill. There are several advantages. First of all, horses like to increase in speed as they climb a hill. Second, it is harder to buck when you’re going up. And third, even if they should buck, a less than seasoned rider is more likely to stay aboard. Thus, I recognize that when you introduce change to a young or immature horse, there are risks and dangers, as this seems somewhat threatening to the animal.

In like manner, change can be fun for us, yet in many contexts it represents a threatening or difficult experience: losing a friend, changing jobs, moving to a new area, children going off to college, etc. How we process those changes is usually determined by the lenses we look through. God uses changes to capture His people’s attention, to provoke their maturity, and to show His strength in their weakness. Because change usually makes us feel out of control, we often view it as a form of a trial. Though trials may often appear the same to the outside observer, they represent four different purposes of God. Because God’s purposes are always designed to bring us to Himself and to benefit us, it is wise for us to understand and cooperate with His training.

The first purpose of trials is to bring us to repentance and to an awareness of our need for salvation. As a young Christian, the second purpose of trials is to transfer our dependency and identity from ourselves and the world to Himself. The third purpose of trials is to conform our attitudes and actions into the likenesses of Christ and to make us useful for service. The fourth and final category are for the mature believer, who is called to model perseverance and absolute confidence in the great I AM for the encouragement of those generations who come after us. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place,” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NASB).

God’s desire – like the trainer’s – is to work in our heart and mind so that we are made richer and more useful through every experience that constitutes a change or a trial. Like the horse, however, we often focus on that which is being taken away or upon the threat of change itself. Yet, the psalmist tells us that he refines silver, not mere ore (Ps. 66:10). John 15 says He prunes the vine, not weeds. He afflicts the righteous in His faithfulness and He disciplines and chastens sons in whom He delights. It is the godly who are sharers in Christ’s sufferings, not the reprobate. The emphasis is on purifying what is of value, not on punishing the flesh. There is this reality, though: the only way we can endure difficult times is with much joy. Joy is almost always seen in the context of significant trials.
“...we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance…” (Romans 5:3)
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials…” (James 1:2)
“…having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit…” (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

The truth is that we cannot have joy unless we let go of our need and desire to be in control of all the changes, transitions, and trials. The reality is that we will not let go unless we are under extreme pressure. I call it “the blessing sandwich.” Psalm 66:9-12 speaks about the ability of God to keep our steps and not allow us to slip. Yet, He continues to describe the trials that overcome His people. Then He adds the other slice of blessing when He speaks of His intent to bring them out into a broad place. This is the heart and intent of the trainer: to strengthen and equip his steed, only to let them be tested during times of adversity, in order that they might experience the rewards of honor that come with obedience. I have often thought that, despite our desire to keep things status quo, change is the one constant in all of our lives.

Sometimes the need for change is gradual and sometimes it is abrupt. Though I have been going through many changes in recent years, delegating many of my responsibilities to more capable successors, I recently heard the announcer say, “Halt your horses and change directions.” After a long and fulfilling career as Executive Director of Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions, it became evident that God was redirecting my focus and responsibilities. On March 5, 2010, the Board of Directors of Miracle Mountain Ranch accepted my resignation as the CEO of MMRM. I had the wonderful privilege of turning my responsibilities over to my good friend and loyal coworker, Ralph Magill. Ralph will serve as the Interim Executive Director as I transition out and the Board confirms my full-time replacement in the near future.

I will continue to work out of the base in French Camp, Mississippi, and continue at large in speaking, writing, and illustrating as God provides grace and opportunity. I can continue to be accessed through our websites: www.sermononthemount.org, www.lewsterrett.net. Correspondence can also be directed to: Lew Sterrett Ministries, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745.

We will keep you posted on developments as they come. Gifts and support can still come through Sermon on the Mount. How grateful I am to the wonderful Board of Directors, to a diligent and hardworking team, and to you, our extended family, for helping me successfully make a lot of transitions over the years.

Thank you and God bless,
Lew

Dr. Lew Sterrett has been the Executive Director of MMRM since 1978.