Are you digesting or decomposing?

'...we got cows'.

Please remember the following text: '...we got cows'. This line is a famous quote in my family, taken from the movie Twister. The selection is from a scene where a team is chasing a tornado, and cows are seen flying around due to the tornado's force. It's similar to Sharknado but perhaps more believable.

Call it a farm, homestead, or hobby; call it what you want, but “we got cows” at home. When we observe them, they do only a few things. They are grazing or lying down. Grazing is good because they are eating, walking, standing, etc. But when they lie down, they take the time to chew, digest, and rest.

Growing up, I would eat my food so fast that my parents would ask, “Did you even chew your food?”. Of course, I chewed my food, but I was growing and so hungry that I consumed it so quickly because I wanted another bite; I wanted to be satisfied.

Cows do not spend too much time chewing their food the first time they eat it. What is essential for them is that they get the food in the stomach first. When they have had enough, they will stand or lie down somewhere and chew their cud. It sounds gross, and it is. But they regurgitate small amounts of food and chew the food again. That is so their digestive system can break down the food easier and extract the nutrients and energy it needs. The general rule of thumb is happy cows chew their cud.

What is essential about all of this is it’s vital to the overall health and well-being of the animal.

In the Bible, it talks about lying down in green pastures.

”He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.23.2.NIV

Green pastures are:

Clean

Fresh vegetation

The temperatures are right

Good bedding to rest in

The Bible mentions that we need to lay down, rest, and digest so we can extract every molecule of nutrients.  Now, in our exceptionally over-committed, busy lives,  we also need to take the time to find “green pastures” to rest. We need to have a moment to relax and digest the day's events. We need to listen to what God and the Holy Spirit are telling us so we can get a complete understanding of the day, of His word, and what He has for us.

When animals lie down, they have to ensure they are lying down properly so it does not become uncomfortable but also so their vital systems continue to function, i.e., their lungs. If they lie down improperly, they could suffocate. To which they would pass away right there, and the decomposition process begins.

We only need to rest until we have gotten our fill, digested out food, and, of course, heard what God has been telling us. Then, we need to resume work. Doing the work that He has called us to. Because if not me, then who?

If the grass is greener on the other side, water your lawn.

If you aren’t happy with a situation, don’t be jealous of what someone else has; roll up your sleeves, put in the work, the time, and the effort, and reap the rewards; the fruits of your labor.

If you aren’t receiving the blessings of God, then maybe it’s time to seek after him wholeheartedly.

My dad would say the grass is greener and lush over the septic tank. The grass thrives in a life-giving, nutrient-dense, life-sustaining environment because of where it’s positioned. Isn’t that where you want to be? Isn’t that the type of relationship you desire to have with Jesus? No not over the septic tank, but positioned in asoul-sustaining, eternal life-giving relationship. Positioned properly right where He called and place you.

It’s funny when we look back on challenging times and we the progress He guided us through. And the humor of it is when we were going through that challenge we were most likely full of doubt and anxiety. Much like how we feel after we get off a rollercoaster for the first time. Full of fear and anxiety but amazing after we get off the exhilarating ride. God has a unique way of getting us through these challenges and we are over come with joy and peace after the storm has passed. When He has called you to do something, no matter the additional challenges of life, a hobby, a promotion, those challenges have prepared you for a time like this. And the next level of challenges are just preparing you for what is to come. Do not get jealous of wish for greener pastures; your pasture is perfect, it just needs some tender loving care.

-RWA