Once again, the Holy Spirit gave me some insight into something about myself through the behavior of my dog on a morning walk to the mailbox. It kinda made me wince a little bit. Not because it was harsh or threatening. Actually God was very friendly and gentle about it. It’s just that it is a little intimidating realizing that there is a lot to learn about myself, and humbling because sometimes the illustration is my dog! Couldn’t it be through something else? (That right there is a whole different lesson to learn.)
I’ll get back to the walk. Madison was full of energy and raring to go as usual. She was not heeling all too well and was either lagging to smell who-knows-what along the way or darting into the woods. I would show her the treats I brought and give the command to heel, and she would heel - for a little while. Then she would take off running and do her thing. I would firmly give the command to heel, and she would freeze and wait for me to catch up, and so it went. Heel, run, (command to heel from me) wait, heel, run, (command to heel from me) wait, heel, etc….
Arrrghhhh!!!!! I think you get the idea.
This is a pattern on many of our walks. As I was focusing on the routine, God spoke to me and said, “You’ve left something out.” I did leave something out; it didn’t seem important. Now here’s the whole story. After I would give the command to heel, Maddie would heel and she would do really well until I would praise her. I would say, “Good Girl!” to let her know how well she was doing and how pleased I was with her. But at the sound of those words, she would start to run. I’m starting to wonder if those words were used as a release by her former owners. It’s a way to free the dog from the previous command. You see, we got Madison when she was about 3-1/2 years old. Some of her previous commands and releases might be hard-wired into her brain. She reverts to her old life and is responding to me as if I were her old master.
These thoughts cause me to reflect on the fact that I too had a previous owner, and I used to live under him in the kingdom of darkness. That’s where the old master still lives. I also remember the times that I’ve had similar experiences in my walk with God. If He would have said, “Good going,” my old nature heard things like “You are free to go on your own, do whatever you want and in any manner you desire. You are your own man; you are released.” I interpreted and responded to my Father’s blessings as if they came from my old master.
Uggghhhh!!!!! I think you get the idea.
Now, after years of walking with my patient and loving Father, I have fully realized that there is no better place to go and no better person to be with. Where else would I want to be? Whom else would I want to be with? To whom would I want to be released? You see, I know I was purchased from my old master by Christ’s sacrifice and brought into His Dear Kingdom. As if being redeemed weren’t enough, He is also changing me and “re-wiring” me to respond to Him, and no other master.
Now that’s real release. I find that freeing. I hope you do too.
Grace to you.
Dave Paukner
