It’s not all that uncommon for horse owners to have trouble catching their horse in the pasture. Does that happen to you periodically? Have you seen a surly steed (live or on video) who finds it amusing to race right past his owner standing with halter and lead rope in hand? The last thing that horse wants is to be caught. Rather than walk up to his owner, he’ll charge right on by, spinning his owner around in her spot. Teasingly, he may let her get within a few steps before he charges off again, kicking dirt up in her face. Thankfully, I’ve broken Ernie of this behavior (hey, there’s one bad habit I managed to overcome!). I think this scene parallels a spiritual lesson.

20080810_0431-1 from jdj150

Running On By
Many people in this world treat God as that horse treats his master. Maybe you know someone like this? Maybe you’re like this? God tries to approach gently and they turn and run. A gentle nudge suggests maybe it’s time to party less or go to church but rather than listening to the prompting, they run the opposite direction. Instead of helping someone in need, they fill their schedule with self-centered and self-gratifying activities. Meanwhile God is standing in the middle of the “pasture” watching them run by him. He stands patiently waiting. Rather than responding to his love, they kick up their heels and speed by.

Patiently Waiting for Submission
Horse owners may simply wait for the horse to grow weary and submit. Or they may persist in chasing the horse while becoming angry. Or they may give up catching their obstinant horse and walk away. God is much the same way. God is very patient and will, for a time, wait for us to respond to his invitation to come to him.

Revelation 3:20 says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” It’s up to us to open the door. God won’t break it down.

It’s up to Us
If we don’t open the door for a gentle knock, he may knock a little louder and forcefully. But it’s still up to us to let him in. Eventually, without choosing to turn to him, God abandons us to our selfishness and immorality.

2 Peter 3:9-10 (NLT) says, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.”

Don’t be like the horse that persists in charging past his master – go to God in humility and receive his blessings. Open the door and let him in.