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“It’s a cinch” is a phrase which is used to describe something that is especially easy. But a cinch is also one of the most important parts of a western saddle. It is the piece that holds the saddle on the horse.

Cinching up a saddle can be simple when you know what you are doing, but some struggle with it until they figure it out. Then, once familiar, it is important not to get careless in completing this task. The cinch should be checked regularly to make sure there are no weak or worn spots. When the leather dries out and cracks, or begins to wear through, it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, it may snap, allowing the entire saddle to break loose from the horse, posing great danger to the rider.

The leather must be kept conditioned so that it remains strong and flexible, able to hold a strong tie. When leather gets too rigid, it may not snug up tight enough to hold the knot. This may result in the saddle slipping around underneath of the horse. This may cause injury to both the horse and rider. It must also be tied correctly to function properly. If care is not taken here, it may also cause malfunctions.

Eternal salvation can be a cinch as well. Jesus has paid the ultimate cost so that we may be saved. He has made it very easy to know Him, but many still struggle with trying to figure it out. 

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Jesus Himself said in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”

There is only one way to Heaven. That is through beliving on Jesus—that He is God’s only Son, that He died on the cross for our sins, and rose again from the dead on the third day.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

When we ask Jesus to be our Savior, it is like putting a new cinch on a saddle.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

To achieve the best that God has for our lives, we must, like new leather, remain strong and work our best for His glory.

“Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

Being strong also requires being flexible. Not wavering in our beliefs, but willing to let God mold us. 

“Now, O Lord, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand” (Isaiah 64:8).

We need to remember that God created us, and He wants the best for us, even when we don’t understand. 

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).

There will be things in life we do not like, but we do not want to let these things harden us. If we do, we may become like old leather, worn and cracked, ready to snap. We need to keep “conditioned” in God’s Word. When you feel weak, remember Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

Let’s keep our cinches strong, conditioned, and knotted tight to Him!

Life can be a crazy ride—best make sure your cinch is tied!

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