On Facebook today, a friend shared a video of a performance at a horse event in 2012. As I watched the performance, I was moved to tears to see such an amazing display of trust between horse and trainer. I have trained horses for many years and it is difficult to imagine the amount of hours that this trainer spent with her horse to build such a bond. Some of the most difficult tricks are showcased in this performance and this horse performs them willingly, wholeheartedly, flawlessly, and effortlessly as if it were a poetic dance. You can hear the laughter, chatter, claps and cheers from the crowd, but the horse never loses focus on his trainer. He watches her every move and when she signals, he immediately does what is asked of him without question or thought to what is going on around him.
The more I watched the video, the more I thought about how, as Christians, our relationship with God should be exactly like the relationship between the horse and his trainer. Do we completely trust in Him to guide us? Are we willing to do anything He asks of us? Are we even close enough to Him to realize when he is asking us to do something for Him? When He does ask, are we doing it willingly, wholeheartedly, flawlessly, and effortlessly or are we running wild and free on our own like a horse turned out to pasture? Are we purposely spending enough time with Him to build a relationship of trust as this horse has with his trainer? Are we allowing the world to distract us or are we keeping our focus on Him?
God is our trainer. We should become willing vessels that allow Him "train" us by studying His word, praying for His will, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us. We should invest more time and energy in our relationship with God than any other relationship in our lives. We should trust in God, establish a form of communication with Him, and allow Him to direct our every move. We must completely and humbly submit ourselves to Him.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
The more I watched the video, the more I thought about how, as Christians, our relationship with God should be exactly like the relationship between the horse and his trainer. Do we completely trust in Him to guide us? Are we willing to do anything He asks of us? Are we even close enough to Him to realize when he is asking us to do something for Him? When He does ask, are we doing it willingly, wholeheartedly, flawlessly, and effortlessly or are we running wild and free on our own like a horse turned out to pasture? Are we purposely spending enough time with Him to build a relationship of trust as this horse has with his trainer? Are we allowing the world to distract us or are we keeping our focus on Him?
God is our trainer. We should become willing vessels that allow Him "train" us by studying His word, praying for His will, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us. We should invest more time and energy in our relationship with God than any other relationship in our lives. We should trust in God, establish a form of communication with Him, and allow Him to direct our every move. We must completely and humbly submit ourselves to Him.
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.