Our family dog doesn’t like to obey me. She rather chase cars than heed my command and find safety by staying in our yard. When I give her a command, she turns her head and looks in the opposite direction as if to say, “I know you’re not talking to me!” But let my husband give her an order and she obeys promptly.
Some say a dog can only have one master. According to our dog, that person is my husband. He spends the most time with her—rubbing her tummy, playing with her, feeding her, and teaching her to obey. They have a pretty tight relationship. Our dog obeys my husband because she knows that he loves her by the way he cares for her and spends time with her. When others in the household give her command, she’s hesitant to obey. Why? She’s wondering, “Are you trying to master me or protect me?”
Nobody likes to be mastered. Do you know someone who hates to be told what to do or perhaps has trouble with authority? Maybe that person is you. I admit to having these tendencies myself. As a free-spirit, I hate being bound by rules. These types of people have trouble with obedience their entire lives. They not only have trouble obeying their parents, laws, and their employers, but they have trouble obeying God, too. Why? They are asking themselves, “Are you trying to master me?”
Being mastered and having a master is NOT the same thing. As Believer’s, we call God our Lord and Master. Yet, the Lord never enforces His laws upon us. Oh, there are times I wish he would, but He will not.
In the bible, obedience is based on a relationship. Take God the father and His son, Jesus. Christ was not God’s servant. He was His son. Jesus knew that God’s will for his life was best. Their relationship was built on love and trust. Christ learned obedience by trusting in His Father’s guidance.
If you and I feel that God is trying to master us, then we are far from the love relationship that He has in mind. God’s laws are in place for our good and for our protection. God always has our best interest in mind.
Some of us like the thrill of chasing cars instead of staying in the safety of our yard. But God puts boundaries around us not to spoil our fun, but to protect us. Those who have a strong love relationship with the Lord understand this and are willing to obey.
amykat says
Oh how I needed these words! I had to laugh because our dog is the same way. He will obey my husband all day long, but I cannot get him to so much as just sit down!
Have a wonderful day!
amy