Team roping is a humbling sport. Just when you think you are doing pretty well you can miss an easy steer so badly that you just can’t believe it. Most team ropers know this because it has happened to them at some point. It’s easy to forget, however, when you’ve been practicing and roping well, just how easy it can happen to you.
At some ropings, you can ride out the back of the arena after a miss, avoid the crowd and get a few minutes to calm yourself and get ready for your next run. Other times you have to ride back up through your fellow ropers, thinking that they all saw you miss. They most likely did, but are so focused on their own roping that they don’t notice your frustration with yourself.
At a roping recently, there was a guy who was roping really well. He was a little vocal about his abilities and was giving advice to some of the lower numbered ropers. Most of us are all trying to improve so a little advice is welcome – “a little advice.” There was a group of us sitting on our horses when this same guy was called to rope again. He drew a good steer and he missed badly. One of the guys sitting beside me said, “Now he’s going to have to do The Walk of Shame.”
I had never heard that at a roping before and it struck me funny. He was referring to the ride the guy was going to have to make back up the arena and through the crowd. Those around us got a little chuckle, but soon realized that none of us want to see someone miss. My mind immediately went to a passage of scripture where Jesus said “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men; I will disown him before my Father in Heaven” Matthew 10:33
What a shame that would be to realize you have lived your whole life in such a way that will cause Jesus to be ashamed of you before His Father. The Bible says there is a judgment day coming where every knee will bow and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord. To miss a steer is a small shame, but to miss out on eternal life will be huge. Make sure on that day you do not have to do “The Walk of Shame.” Rope great, and be thankful.
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