Reflections on the Year of the Horse

A very Happy Chinese New Year to all our readers. According to the Chinese zodiac, this is the year of the Fire Horse. A horse is the epitome of beauty, grace, and power.

(Disclaimer: I do not believe in the zodiacs as the controlling agents in our lives. I am just making use of the occasion to write about the horse. As we gallop into the “Year of the Horse,” let us focus on several life principles related to this horsy character.)

1. Strength

Horses are renowned for their incredible strength. They are so strong that many industries use the term “horsepower” to describe the output power of various machinery. This remarkable physical prowess has made them invaluable partners, especially in agriculture, warfare, and transportation.

God wants us to be strong: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13, ESV). Is your faith strong?

2. Stamina

Horses are born to run. They can travel on average 30 to 50 miles a day if they are in good condition. Top endurance horses can travel up to 100 miles in a day with a rider on their back.

We must not just be strong in the faith; we must also have stamina, or the endurance to finish the Christian race: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (1 Timothy 4:7, ESV).

Having a strong faith makes the Christian race easy: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

3. Courage

Horses are not afraid when on the battlefield. They charge forward at the command of their riders. You will never see a horse retreating when it is told to charge.

The Christian race is a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12). It is a tough fight against Satan (1 Peter 5:8). Strength without courage is useless; it is like a boxer screaming at seeing a lizard. We need strength and courage to fight this spiritual battle. God agrees and says: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).

4. Meekness

Horses teach us that strength doesn’t always roar. Their strength isn’t only in their muscles or speed, but in their calm presence, patience, and gentle spirit. They show that true power can be steady and peaceful, not loud or forceful.

Strength comes in many forms. Sometimes it is found in resilience, quiet confidence, or the ability to stay calm in difficult moments. Jesus embodies this kind of strength. When He was reviled and smitten, He did not retaliate, though He could summon twelve legions (72,000) of angels for help (Matthew 26:53). He taught us to value quiet power in our lives: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5)

 5. Grace

Horses are magnificent-looking creatures. One of the first things that comes to mind when we think of horses is their graceful and elegant appearance. They possess a natural beauty that is both captivating and awe-inspiring. Whether galloping across an open field or standing quietly in a pasture, horses exude an undeniable grace.

Christians ought to be the loveliest people on the planet. Our conduct should display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). Our speech should be soft, gentle, and gracious (Colossians 4:6).

6. Bearing

Horses bear their riders on their backs. They taught us what it means to be a friend and brother: “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Galatians 6:2 teaches the value of helping fellow Christians in need, and demonstrating Christ-like love. Supporting others fulfills the law of Christ, which is based on loving one another (John 13:34). Just as horses quietly carry heavy loads without complaint, we too can learn to carry the burdens of others with humility and compassion.

7. Comforter

A quotation states: “Horses lend us the wings we lack.” Riding a horse gives a feeling of being untethered (unrestricted), like flying, offering an escape from stress and worries.

A horse is the best therapist you can have. They are used in therapeutic settings to improve physical, emotional, and mental well-being for people with various conditions like autism, PTSD, depression, and developmental disabilities. Horses are great comforters.

Let us be comforters, like horses providing comfort to others: “Comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thessalonians 5:14b). 

8. Success

The Horse is associated with success and good fortune. A Chinese idiom, "马到成功" (translates literally to "horse arrives, success”), means “success is assured once the warhorse arrives.”

May we, like the horse, live our lives that honour God, moving courageously and joyfully into the future He has prepared for us. Let us finish the race: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).