Instead of viewing him simply as a “pasture ornament,” I’m now seeing Boo, our donkey, in a whole new light. If the price of gasoline rises to 10 bucks a gallon, as some predict, I fear it may be time to throw a saddle on this obstinate creature.
I truly hate to imagine what might happen if I were to try to ride our mostly untamed donkey, but apparently I’m not the only one contemplating such a drastic measure. I’ve recently had conversations with two people who told me they know donkey owners who’ve joked about doing the same thing.
Desperate times, I guess, but will it come to that? Lord, I hope not. (And yes, that’s a sincere prayer.) I do wish we’d trained Boo to let us ride him—just for fun, not out of necessity—while he was still trainable, but that ship has certainly sailed.
When I think about someone riding a donkey, I always picture Jack Black in “Nacho Libre,” a funny movie in which Black plays a priest who trots through the Mexican countryside on a burro.
If I were more spiritual, I guess I’d first think of Jesus making His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He rode on a donkey that, according to Scripture, had never been ridden. I repeat, NEVER been ridden. Of course, Jesus could also walk on water—something else the rest of us can’t pull off—but I’d almost rather try that than to try to ride an untamed donkey.
Looks like I’ll just have to drive less and pay more at the gas pumps. Our resident president and his appointees seem to think the answer is electric cars, but perhaps they’ve never priced one of those. Or had to find charging stations outside the big cities in which they typically reside. Or considered that we’re pretty much dependent upon China for electric-car batteries and that most electrical grids, which are necessary to recharge those batteries, are still powered by fossil fuels.
Some of our dear politicians also suggest we simply get rid of our gas-powered cars and take advantage of mass transit. Perhaps they’d like to come here to Greenwood or Abbeville and try that.
I want to throw a shoe at my TV when these out-of-touch officials push impractical “solutions” to a problem that currently isn’t even on most folks’ radar right now. All while simultaneously and hypocritically investing in beach property that, according to the climate theories they espouse, should be under water in a few years.
I’m all for being a good steward of God’s creation, but I’m pretty sure He didn’t hire Greta Thunberg to be His spokesperson.
So, to “circle back,” as our president’s spokesperson is so fond of saying, I don’t plan to get rid of my car and buy a saddle for Boo. Not as long as there’s gas to buy and I still have enough money to pay for it.
Whatever may come, God’s promises stand and He promises He’ll supply my needs (see Philippians 4:19).
The world looks like a hot mess from where we sit, but God has a better seat and He’s still in control. He’s not pacing heaven, wringing His hands.
As I heard one pastor say, “God can rule the world with His feet up.” Not because He’s indifferent about what’s happening but because, as the prophet Jeremiah said, “‘Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You.”
There are things to be learned during these tumultuous times, like how to trust God and abide in the peace He offers, but learning how to ride an untamed donkey absolutely isn’t one of them.