Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Horses Peck?

We’re all familiar with the term, “pecking order” which originated from a zoologist’s study of social hierarchies among chickens. He observed how hens established their authority through pecking those of lower status without retaliation. As a youth, I was around chickens just enough to know I didn’t like them (unless they were on my supper plate). I’ve been around horses all my life and they also have a pecking order, which is fascinating to watch. This hierarchy system establishes dominance and relationships. It also helps reduce tension and potential conflicts, allowing horses to understand their roles and maintain social order. Each horse knows its place, which contributes to a more-harmonious environment, and this is
crucial for their well-being.

The dominant horse walks with purpose and expects others to move out of his way. He may pin his ears, swish his tail, or toss his head to make a point. In addition, you can watch a horse interact with another horse and witness mutual grooming or fly swatting. This bonding affirms social ties among them, indicating a good relationship within the pecking order. Amazingly, the horse pecking order in pastures actually helps prevent injuries, resolves conflicts, and promotes harmony in the herd. A structured hierarchy makes the horses feel at peace and enables them to function safely and properly.

Humans need to be as smart as a horse — maybe that’s why it’s called “horse sense.” Horses understand pecking order which means there can only be one boss. Humans need to understand that God is da Boss. My daughter Mariam worked in a preschool in Longview, Texas for two years. She had an adorable mouthy little girl who was really feeling her oats one day. Mariam told Mimi to do something and she defiantly said, “You not da boss o’ me! You not da boss o’ nothin‘!!” I don’t know if Mariam’s degree in early childhood development helped her much in this laughable case.

I suspect a lot of believers need to hand off the reins to God and let Him be the Boss. We are not more capable than God. As long as we’re holding the reins, God cannot reign in our lives. It’s one thing to sing the song, “Our God Reigns” but it’s another to put it into practice. When there’s a big mountain looming in front of us and we’re still holding the reins, we have no choice but to keep going around and around the mountain — getting nowhere fast. Until we give up and give in to the fact we’re not good at bossing our
life, God will let us do it on our own.

Apostle Paul reminds us that Christ Jesus is supreme and, therefore, qualified to be the Boss of everyone and everything. “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see — such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together“ (Colossians 1:15-17 NLT).

The Key: I’m choosing God’s pecking order, which means I ain’t da boss.