In his third year as a power lineman apprentice, Tristan Ellis leaves for work each morning around 5:30 a.m. He commutes more than an hour one way to report for a labor-intensive job lifting 80-pound insulators and riding up in buckets to run power lines. In the evenings and on weekends, he manages a commercial cattle herd and hay operation in Florida. Tristan is 21 years old.
His favorite verse is “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward” (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV).
He committed his life to Christ at the age of 17 and meets regularly with his pastor for mentoring. “I am extremely blessed to have a supportive family and church,” he said.
For tough days, he relies on scripture and quotes Proverbs 3:5 NIV: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
In the evenings when he finishes work with the electrical contractor, Tristan rides in an all-terrain vehicle through the pastures to inspect the cows. He has delivered calves by hand and marvels when each new life takes its first breath. “God’s the Creator, and each piece of grass is evidence of Him,” Tristan said as he waved toward the expansive pasture and cypress hammock. “You can’t tell me all this came from a meteor.”
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward” (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV).
Did you know cattle were first introduced to North America in Florida in 1521 by Ponce de Leon? If you would like to learn more about the Florida cattle business, interesting facts can be found from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services here.
Tristan Ellis standing next to his Brahman cow
Photo credit: Dell Ellis