"But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
(Hebrews 11: 6)
In order to train a horse, he must be willing to move his feet forward. Without forward motion, the partnership can go no further.
WITHOUT FORWARD MOTION, THERE IS NO PARTNERSHIP
Today, I want to share with you about the horse term FORWARD MOTION, and how it compares to our FORWARD FAITH. Let's start out first by talking a little about horses. Then we'll zero in on you and me, and our faith walk with God.
For those of us who ride horses, the importance of forward motion can't be underestimated. When some horses are asked to move forward, they do so willingly, but others begin to jig and squirm, or even buck and rear. These various antics are all an attempt to avoid obeying the "go forward" cue. In essence, what these horses are doing is refusing to "surrender" control of their feet. The reasons for this behavior vary. It could be lack of training, fear, or anxiousness. It could also be plain ol' rebellion or disobedience to their Master (the one giving the cues). Whatever the case, if the horse is not willing to move forward on command, the partnership can go no further until that horse is willing to obey and move his feet.
SPECIFIC DIRECTION - NOT JUST ANY OLD DIRECTION
Our partnership with horses is totally dependent on the horse moving his feet. Not only do we want our horse to move when we tell him to move, but we also want him to move in the exact direction we tell him to move. One of the best and safest ways to establish direction of movement is with groundwork, and before getting in the saddle. A horse will never be any better "under saddle" than what he is on the ground. Moral of the story? If you want a good ride, then do your groundwork!
Usually, with good training and experience, a horse learns to "surrender" his feet and move forward when given a cue. Once he does this, then the next important step is to teach that horse to move in a "specific direction" on cue. And why is it important for a horse to learn to move in a specific direction? Quite simply, if a horse is only willing to move his feet, but unable to follow his Master's direction, the chances are slim to none that the horse will end up where he was meant to be!
It's the same for you and me when it comes to our faith in God. Lots of folks have good forward motion when it comes to their faith. In other words, they're always moving, always doing, and always up to something, and all in the name of faith. The problem is, they're often so busy moving that they don't take time to really listen for God's direction on which way to go! As a result, their life can often look a lot like a tractor stuck in the mud. Yep, the engine is cranked wide-open, and the wheels are turning feverishly, but it still can't get any traction! When I'm working with my horses, the first thing I do is get their feet moving. But "forward motion" is just the beginning of our partnership. The real test of our partnership will be determined by my horse's willingness to move in the exact direction I tell him to go!
SURRENDERED AND CONTROLLED FORWARD MOTION
Once I establish control of my horse's feet on the ground (groundwork), then I re-establish that control in the saddle. When my horse proves that he can be trusted by surrendering control of his feet to me at a simple walk and jog, then I advance to a faster gait, the lope. This is the gait where some horses "break apart", and buck or rear. The reason is that they haven't mastered following direction. Yes, they are willing to move, but their movement is not "surrendered or controlled". In other words, they are striking out on their own.
So, let's get right down to it. How does understanding the importance of forward motion in horses help us to better understand "Forward Faith" in our own life? Or in other words, how can this help us better understand our own faith walk with God? Quite simply, both horses and people must have a complete willingness to surrender their feet, and direction of movement, to the Master. In other words, they must both be willing to completely surrender to the One who holds the authority. When it comes to you and me, the One who should hold all authority in our lives is God. Perhaps a ride together might say it best. Want to take an imaginary lope of faith with me? Come on then, and let's ride together and learn...
Okay, now slow down there, partner. Don't get in a hurry. That's it. Nice and easy. Remember, all we have to do is follow the leader. First, let's start by slowly moving our feet forward in a "surrendered and controlled" motion. Very good. Now, let's listen closely - real closely - and even more closely. Someone's speaking in a soft voice, the commands almost imperceptible to anyone else but us. We can sense the cues moving us in a specific direction, at once, willing us to move forward, then to stop, then to back up, then to turn, and finally, to move forward again. We are not confused by these changes of direction. When told to, we stand still and listen, and then we wait. And we listen some more. And then, right on cue, we begin to move forward. Suddenly, we realize we're dancing with a partner, and He is leading us. We're being directed in a very specific way - the way we should go. And finally, only one question remains. Will we go our own way, or will we go where He leads?
GOD IS NOT DEAD, BUT FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD
No matter what I ask my horse to do, or how difficult the task, I am always right there in the saddle with him on the journey. It is not his journey, or my journey. It is our journey. Our journey together as partners.
Last weekend, I took my 15 year old grandson to see the movie, GOD IS NOT DEAD. We absolutely loved it. And we came away with an awareness that surpassed perhaps the obvious intent of the film. Throughout the movie, we watched as the character's lives unfolded, and God's providential script for each of them became clearer. Of special interest, and central to the movie, was the life of the atheist professor. The thread that weaved his life together was ultimately like a fine tapestry, often confusing and nearly transparent in the beginning, but in the end, undeniably clear with one event connecting the next.
No matter what path the professor had chosen to take in his life, his final journey ended with his decision concerning God. Either God was alive, or He was dead. I won't tell you the ending of the movie, but the truth is, neither the professor or anyone else's decision alters the fact that GOD IS, and He is alive. However, a persons decision to disregard or choose to "not believe in God" will alter and change something of serious significance. It will change one's life for the worse by robbing them of their God-given destiny - a destiny of faith. You see, in the long run, there's never a question about God being dead, or not. The Bible says that only a fool looks around and says there is no God. In truth, the only thing that is often in danger of being dead is our faith. And dead faith is of no use to anyone. Why? Duhhh - you got it - because it's dead!
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FAITH RIDE
We can have a good relationship with a horse without riding them. But we can never develop a partnership with them until we take the ride.
The Bible teaches 3 specific facts about faith. Understanding these facts is critical to the Christian walk. It's true, we can have relationship with Christ, and never employ our faith beyond that of accepting Him as Lord. But we "short-change" ourselves when we choose to miss out on the greatest privilege of all - the privilege to exercise our God-given faith, and become partners with Him in bringing about our own wonderful purpose and destiny in this life.
3 Biblical Facts About Faith
1. God has given a measure of faith to every person. (Romans 12: 3)
2. It is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11: 6)
3. Faith without works or action is dead. (James 2: 17)
LEARNING TO STAND STILL IS NOT WASTED TIME -
IT'S A TIME TO LISTEN, PREPARE, ENGAGE, AND GET READY FOR THE RIDE!
Learning to stand still and listen is just as important a skill for my horse to learn as moving forward on my cue/command. Faith is always about action, but every action starts at a stand-still. It's at the stand still that my horse learns to listen, prepare, engage, and get ready for the ride. With the lift of my reins, and a gentle touch of my spur against his side, my horse, Samson, drops his head, engages, and gets ready to move forward in a collected frame.
Being at a stand still is often the time when we get direction of what to do next in our life. Or in other words, it's a time when God often gives us our marching orders! Some people are always launching prematurely ahead with plans. Although they are quick to assign these plans to God, they're actually on a mission to make their own plans happen. These folks are often full of zeal, but they aren't full of direction - Godly direction. They're often-times undisciplined people who are accustomed to riding through life "by the seat of their pants", and calling it faith. If they succeed in their endeavors, they boast about their faith, but if their plans fail, they question God and blame Him!
When we strike out on our own, but without God-directed faith, things usually start to head south pretty quick. Just ask anybody who has ever launched out in sincere, but nevertheless, misguided faith. This old cowgirl here has certainly had her share of "rather forget than remember" faith adventures along the way. You might know the kind I'm talking about. I'm talking about the kind where we venture out on our own, expecting God to "get with the plan". The problem is, the plan was all ours, and not His! Then, we're left scratching our heads in bewilderment and confusion, and thinking to ourselves, "But I had so much faith, so, how did I miss the plan?"
The answer is, we miss the plan when we start directing our own footsteps. The Bible says, "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his footsteps." (Proverbs 16: 9). The but in the middle of this scripture clearly denotes and divides two very different plans. There's our plans. And then, there's God's plans. Want victory with your plans? Make God's plans your plans! And how do you do that? You stand still, you listen, you prepare, you engage, and you get ready for the ride. And then, when He gives the cue/command, you move forward in faith!
COMING THIS SUMMER...
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Susan Klaudt Horse Ministry
YOU WERE CREATED FOR PURPOSE
THE POWER OF PRESSURE
WAY MORE THAN HORSEPOWER
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