Good Stewardship

I was cleaning out the closet under our staircase the other day and came across an old photo that was taken in the early 1990’s.  In the picture my wife and I along with three of our kids and one of Piper’s Aunts are standing by our car under a statue of Roy Rodgers’ famous stead Trigger.  If I remember correctly, we had driven down to Anaheim California to attend a Believer’s Convention and then went east toward the desert to visit Piper’s Aunt and Uncle who lived in a little town in the midst of the orange groves near San Bernardino.

The highlight of that part of the summer adventure was a day trip northeast through the Mohave Desert to Victorville California and a much anticipated visit to the Roy Rodger’s Museum.  (It eventually was moved to Branson Missouri and then sadly, was closed just a few years ago.  Memorabilia can still be purchased on their website www.royrogers.com)  

As long time Roy Rogers fans, my wife and I were enthralled with the endless rooms and display cases that were stuffed with mementoes of anything and everything Roy had ever worn, driven, rode (Yes… even Trigger and Dale’s horse Butter Cup were stuffed and on display!) or merchandised in his career.  It was a little overwhelming for our younger kids, so we could not spend as long as we would have preferred!  It was simply amazing to see the dream that Roy and Dale had lived.  They were both still alive at the time and we were disappointed to hear from one of the workers that we had just missed Roy as he usually came and spent time tinkering around the museum each day.

The dream that they led had all the attributes of a storybook life.  But it was not without its personal torments, family crises, and professional challenges.  Roy and Dale had a strong faith in God and strove to live beyond the typical Hollywood “Star” status and give back to the countless kids and families around the world that they influenced through their movies, radio show and TV programs.  In the height of their popularity, they toured the country, riding in parades and visited children in hospitals bearing good cheer and gifts.  They were advocates for adoption and were founders of a variety of children’s charities.

Whether it was simply good fortune or wise planning that propelled them into a successful public life, Roy Rodgers and Dale Evans grabbed hold of the responsibility that they felt that they had been given and pursued it with a gusto for life and a heartfelt desire to do the best with the opportunities that God had given them.  Their good stewardship affected a whole generation and is still felt today.  It is a great encouragement to those of us who long to follow our dreams in the midst the naysayers that may surround us.

Romans 7:6 talks about how we have been “set free from the Law, having died to that which we were held, so as for us to serve in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter.” (Literal Translation of the Bible)  In other words, as born again believers, we have been set free from the confines that held us back within the framework of the do’s and don’ts of the Old Covenant and are now free to go out and live in the “newness” of the freedom that comes by the Holy Spirit’s influence on us.  You and I are now free to live out the plan and purpose – or the dream – that God has put into our hearts!  Will it be a life free of troubles and difficulties?  NO!  But it will be a life that is consistently filled with the companionship, care and deliverance of our loving heavenly Father.  Will things just fall into your lap along the way?  Sometimes, but to be honest, most of the time you have to pray it through, work diligently and never give up on yourself, your dream and on God!

Your dream may not reach the influence of millions like Roy and Dale’s, but it will definitely make a difference to those with whom you touch in your world.  I would encourage you to be bold today and take a step toward the fulfillment of your dream and while doing so, keep in mind Roy’s famous closing statement “Good bye, good luck and may the good Lord take a liking to you!”  The only note that I would add is that when you step out in faith, luck has nothing to do with it!  Have a great day.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”