Lately, I’ve been learning a lesson in the relationship between obedience and freedom, one which at first glance, seems to be a contradiction. This lesson, like others, has come through the experience of having a dog.
Our first family dog, Sandy, loved our pleasure at her obedience. She willingly, and joyfully, obeyed, responding quickly and enthusiastically to the training we took her through during the first year we had her. Within a few months, she would come, sit, lay down, stay, heel, and for fun, beg and shake. Her obedience, for the most part, was joyful and prompt. She trusted in the goodness of her masters and did as she was told. What was the result? Not only the joy of the master (us), but greater freedom for her. Once we knew she would come when called, we no longer needed the leash, and our walks and times of taking her out to play became greater arenas of freedom for her. We gave her the freedom to explore because we were confident in her obedience in that freedom. Her obedience not only resulted in greater freedom, but an increased joy, as she was able to enjoy that freedom, and we were able to relax on the walks (instead of the constant training).
Fast forward to present day, with a five-month old beagle puppy, who in addition to being young, is a breed that is rather difficult to train. Because of this, Coco is kept on a leash, and is not allowed the greater freedom that Sandy used to enjoy. It is my hope that through more time and training, we will get to the place that she will obey, so that she can be given greater freedom. It is my desire, as her master, to let her run free, to let her experience greater joy in being a dog, but this freedom can and will only be granted by her certain obedience. When I am confident in her obedience, she will be allowed to run free. Last weekend some friends and I went for a walk in the woods and she was given the freedom to run around and she loved it! It was a joy for me to see her have so much fun and it is my desire that she experiences more of this.
Are the limitations imposed by the leash and choke chain because of a mean master or the doubtful obedience of the dog? Applying this to the Christian walk, are some of the limitations or lack of things due to the Potter or in some cases because of the stubbornness of the clay? Perhaps I am not given what I want, because I could not handle the “freedom” that is granted in order to have that want. Obedience precedes freedom.
