Listening to Jesus

There was an afternoon I was explaining to someone the basics of how to move her horse, using the active and passive pressure of her legs and seat to move him and she said something quite profound....

Horses are very relational. They communicate entirely through body language. The swish of a tail or flick of an ear is an indication to other horses about where they need to pay attention or what that horse is about to do. Horses are always in tune with what each other is doing. It’s how they survive in the wild. Failure to understand this body language would certainly result in becoming an easy target for a predator.

There was an afternoon I was explaining to someone the basics of how to move her horse, using the active and passive pressure of her legs and seat to move him and she said something quite profound: "So, the ultimate goal is to be able to ride without a bridle. To be able to move the horse simply by your body (True!)... that's what it should be like in our relationship with God. That He doesn't have to pull on us or kick us but that we would go where He asks and be able to move so responsively".

So much truth wrapped up in that statement!

As riders, we know that amazing bond and pure connection when we are able to have our horse respond in complete obedience to the most subtle shift of weight or pressure of our leg on his side. When we are able to melt to a halt without so much as thinking "woah" or do a perfect half-pass with the slightest leg aid, or when our horse offers collection without any pressure on the bit. The only way to accomplish such finesse is to devote the time in perfecting the horse's, and our own training, and develop a bond based on complete trust. Truly it is the pinnacle of obedience and trust.

What would it be like to be so yoked up with the Lord? That we would move as He directs without any hesitation. That we would willingly listen with obedience to the slightest, most subtle direction He gives. No resistance. No second-guessing. Only knowing that to be in His perfect will is the absolute pinnacle of obedience, finesse, and the ultimate bond we can have with our Heavenly Father.

"I will show you and teach you in the way you should go. I will tell you what to do with My eye upon you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the donkey which have no understanding. They must be made to work by using bits and leather ropes or they will not come to you." (Psalm 32:8-9).

#jesus #ranchministry #freedomreignsranch #horses #liberty