Dog Trials

Yesterday, I attended a dog show featuring obedience and protection trials.  What amazed me was how the dogs obeyed their masters, willingly giving up their own minds in order to please.  Dog after dog went through the paces of a well-rehearsed routine and enjoyed the praise of their masters.  The ballet of retrieving weights especially when it required jumping over a 3 foot high fence or an A-frame obstacle was remarkable.

But it also gave me pause.  Each day, I walk with my God, yet I wonder if I show him the obedience the dogs showed their masters.  The importance of obeying the guidance God gives us can not be minimized.  God will be very specific as He guides our lives. When Peter was troubled over something Jesus said to another disciple, Jesus’ answer in John 21:22 was clear, “…What is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

We must know what God is asking us to do and not be led astray by what others want us to do. As the Holy Spirit guides us, He will not say “yes” to every opportunity that presents itself to us. Not every urge we have is necessarily the Holy Spirit prompting us to do something. Don’t be troubled if the Holy Spirit is telling someone else to do something and He is not telling you. Walk in His peace and only do what He is asking you to do.

Micah 6:8 states, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” If we put our complete trust in God, as the dogs did with their owners, we’ll find strength in His grace, assurance in God’s word, contentment if God’s provision and fulfillment in His purpose for our lives.  We’ll learn to live with the desire to walk each day in the presence of God.  We’ll crave the peace that comes from following God to His desired place for us.  We’ll rejoice in the understanding the every decision that God makes on our behalf is for our protection and our benefit.

What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *