Suggestions vs. Commands

Twice a day the dogs and I have a nice “walk” together, following the paths which wind around our property. Well, it’s a walk for one of us, anyway. Teddy and TJ like to run from bush to bush chasing birds. Before long, they head to the water for a swim panting, with their long, pink tongues hanging out of their mouths. 

When it is time to go in, I’ll wait until we are somewhere in the proximity of the front gate, point and give the command, “Go to the gate.” They know the command very well and have done this hundreds of times. Usually, I’ll put on their leashes, give them a treat and take them out the front gate.  Then the three of us walk calmly down the driveway to the backyard to their dog run. That’s the plan, anyway.

Lately, however, Teddy has been running in the other direction away from the gate, while TJ and I watch his back-end disappear into the bushes. 

“Teddy, come to the gate!” I repeat in my most authoritative voice.

I imagine him saying, “Well, that’s a nice suggestion. But how about chasing birds for a little while longer? Or maybe going for another swim out to the island? Hmmm that sounds like fun. Maybe I’ll do that! Bye-bye!” in doggie-speak and off he goes. Of course, Teddy’s little buddy, TJ, follows in hot pursuit, leaving me standing alone holding their leashes.

Refusing to chase them, I’ll wait and continue to call until they finally get the message and come to the gate. No treats then. Sorry buddies.

“Teddy, you come when I call your name,” I say in a chastising tone, putting on his leash. TJ gets the same lecture. Then we three walk around to the backyard.

So when did my commands change to suggestions? Why have they decided to ignore my calls and go their own way?

Does this dilemma sound familiar? It makes me think back to those teen-age years of testing authority figures and trying to assert independence. Maybe that is the explanation! Our dogs are teen-agers now.

It also reminds me of the way we humans respond to God’s commands, oftentimes taking them as “suggestions” or following them when convenient. He doesn’t chase after us, but rather lets us go our own way. Our Father in Heaven must be saddened because He knows that there will be far-reaching consequences—ripples of hurt and pain affecting others around us as well— and that our relationship with Him will be broken.

On the other hand, think of what happens when we try to live by His commands through the power of the Holy Spirit. What consequences are there when we put all of our energies—heart, mind, soul and strength—into loving God and loving others as much as we love ourselves, just as Jesus commanded us to do? We are changed, the world around us is changed and we find ourselves walking in harmony with the God of the Universe. Amazing!

His commands are given out of love! Who could love mankind any more than God?  May we open our hearts to receive His love and be determined to follow His ways, through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Obedience to His commands is a very good thing!

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” John 14:15-16 NIV

(published in the Porterville Recorder on Feb. 22,2014)