Strong Bulls and Weak Flesh

Reposted from August 2023

“Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.”
Psalm 22:12

Every year in Pamplona, Spain, there is an event known as “The Running of the Bulls.”

When I first heard of this event many years ago, I actually thought it would be fun to do. What could be more fun than running away from six Spanish fighting bulls and a half dozen steer as they chase hundreds of people on slippery cobblestone streets?

When I was young, fast, and tough anything was possible.

We’d hop fences, throw rocks at beehives, fish barefoot in leech-filled creeks, slide down the algae-covered dam into a deep spillway full of concrete and jagged rebar, crawl through spider-filled culverts, climb the highest trees, run down steep sand dunes, launch fireworks at each other…and on and on.

So why NOT run with the bulls?
Simple answer: Time passed, youth faded.
The things I could do at fifteen now amaze me.
I understand, decades later, how my parents and grandparents were so enthralled with my youthful energy.

I’d run across the lawn while bouncing a basketball and my Grandma would say, “Wow! Look at him go! You run so fast!”

It was strange that anyone would make such a big deal over something so easy…
But to the aged and elderly whose strength has waned, youthful energy is amazing.

I didn’t care about Psalm 22:12 at age fifteen. If “strong bulls of Bashan” had gathered round about me I’d have thrown rocks at them and sparked a foot race…and I may have beat them to the fence.

But there comes a time when we realize our strength fades and our enemies strength seemingly increases…and no matter how hard we try, our bodies can no longer run like they used to.

That’s ok.
When you can’t, He can.
You’re not Superman or Wonder Woman, and God doesn’t expect you to be…He just wants your heart to align with His Word and your life to glorify Him.

Let God handle the “strong bulls” in your life, which are your unrelenting challenges:
Aging. Depression. Discouragement.
Infirmity. Fear. Doubt. Loneliness. Sin.
________. (Fill in the blank.)

Just do YOUR part. Remain faithful.
The Lion has your back, dear Christian…Psalm 22 is a prophecy of what Jesus Christ endured for you.
Our Savior: the champion bullfighter.

Keep your armor on.