Day 5: Riding for the Brand

Scripture:
"But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all." - Mark 10:43-44
"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." - Proverbs 14:34
"You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment." - Deuteronomy 16:18

Cowboy Wisdom:
There's an old saying in cattle country: "Ride for the brand." It means you give your loyalty and your best effort to the outfit that pays your wages. You represent them in everything you do, whether the boss is watching or not. When you're wearing that brand, your behavior reflects on the entire operation. If you're lazy, dishonest, or unreliable, you're not just hurting yourself - you're hurting everyone who wears that same brand.

Our founding fathers understood that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, but more importantly, they knew that all authority ultimately comes from God. That's why they could stand up to the most powerful nation on earth - they were riding for a higher brand. They weren't just accountable to King George; they were accountable to the King of Kings.

As Christians, we're riding for the ultimate brand - the name of Jesus Christ. That means we're accountable not just to earthly authorities, but to the Almighty himself. And like those founding fathers, we have a responsibility to stand up for what's right, even when it's costly. Even when it's unpopular. Even when it might cost us our comfort, our reputation, or our security.

The truth is, America was built on the foundation of people who understood they were accountable to God. They knew that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. They understood that for a nation to stay strong and free, its people had to be governed by something higher than their own desires.

But somewhere along the way, we've forgotten that. We've kicked God out of our schools, our courtrooms, our public squares. We've decided we can govern ourselves without any reference to the One who gave us our rights in the first place. And look where it's gotten us - moral confusion, political chaos, and a society that's losing its way.

The answer isn't to retreat from public life or to give up on our nation. The answer is to remember that we're riding for the brand - God's brand. That means we serve others instead of demanding to be served. It means we seek justice and righteousness instead of just looking out for ourselves. It means we're willing to stand up for truth, even when it's hard.

Jesus showed us what this kind of leadership looks like. He didn't come to be served, but to serve. He didn't lord His authority over others; He used His power to lift them up. He didn't seek His own glory; He sought the glory of His Father. That's the kind of leadership our nation needs, and it starts with each of us individually.

Questions for Reflection:

1. In what areas of your life do you need to be more accountable to God and others?
2. How can you serve others in a way that reflects Christ's example of leadership?
3. What specific steps can you take to help your community and nation return to godly principles?

Prayer Focus:
Father, help me remember that I'm riding for Your brand in everything I do. Give me the courage to stand up for righteousness, even when it's unpopular. Help me serve others with humility and love, following Jesus' example of servant leadership. Revive my heart, my family, my church, and my nation. May we return to the kind of dependence on You that our founding fathers knew. Amen.