I rounded the corner of the kennel, opened the first door on the right, and there they were, five of the most adorable, squared jawed 12 week old black lab puppies ever. The company hunting camp that Mel and I have just returned from has a huge kennel of active hunting dogs, both for dove and quail. And being a dog lover, I am anxious to go check the dogs out as one of my first ventures upon arrival, and that precious litter is what I found. Something about puppies that just warms the cockles of my heart, and I know some of you must feel the same. The combination of the innocence, curiosity, soft, untainted, and untrained little four legged friends jumping all over each other, and whoever comes in their territory is just too much fun to experience.

Lando, is the dog trainer and we have been friends for many years and he knows my love for the dogs. He told me the next morning he was going to introduce them to toys and they would be playing out in the field, and I was welcome to join them. Mel and I were heading to breakfast and I caught a glimpse of Lando and the pups walking along the pond. Mel knew, at least for me, breakfast would have to wait. Lando was just going around the perimeter of the pond, it is a good size pond, and the puppies followed his every step. When he stopped, they carefully investigated the area around, even cruising off the banks and wading into the water. But they remained close to their master. This, he said introduces them to water. Next they paraded to the pigeon cage watching intently as Lando went inside and stirred the pigeons up so that they would fly. This, he said introduces them to the birds. The training had begun. But all the while those little pups were being led, their master kept a close eye on them, even though they were by instinct keeping an eye on him. They would rest after a big morning and the toys would be introduced later for an afternoon exercise of play.

Oh, if life were only that easy. We are called to follow Christ as our leader. And as young children, we are dependent on our parents just as those puppies are dependent on their master. But as we get older, we tend to gain a little momentum of independence and we think we can do life on our own without Christ's help. We wander to places we should not go, we speak words that we should not speak, and we engage in activities that we should not be involved in. And I am not taking big stuff here, merely everyday stuff. It is a common quote: "Don't go there"...but we do go "there" in retaliation, in envy, in frustration, in bitterness, in complaint and we use words and voice inflections that do hurt. We slander and gossip, and have mean spirited exchanges. And as far as activities...it is about the things that we choose to do. I say that because we do have choices, as to what we engage in and many times we choose things and habits that are not healthy for our mind body and soul. It is only when we choose to follow Christ, the trusted and experienced master, that we are able to stay trained to overcome the perils that are before us and enjoy his favor that is upon us.

Those little pups are in training and soon they will be ready for action in the fields. They will choose to be hunters for that is what they know. Our fields in life are ripe with opportunities to share the gospel, but unless we have been steeped in the training and in the true experience of knowing God and trusting him as our leader, we will not be prepared to do squat in the field of service for God. We, each day, are called to be followers, so that God can transform us to be his leaders in character, in purpose, and in genuine love for Him as well as those he puts in our fields.

When we seek to follow Christ, the places that we go, the words that we say and the activities that we pursue will be a reflection of the depth of our dedication to the God we love. It is easy, so easy to get off tract, but if we keep our eyes focused on Christ and consistently, I use that word because it is one of my weakest shortcomings, seek His way and his will over our own, it is then that he will train us according to the plans that he has set out for us so that we can be our best, and share his best.

As precious as these little lab puppies are, they will each have different bents. The training will give them boundaries and teach them skills, but when they get out into the fields, it will be how they use what they have been taught, that will make them successful. When we were out in the fields with the older dogs, I watched them and they were not to be distracted. They were busy and focused and only had ears and eyes for their master, and would only react to commands from him. They knew who they trusted, who had trained them and what was expected of them. And it was not out of folly that they responded but out of love and discipline and training. And it was awesome to watch such obedience to their master. I would think that Christ, our master would too take great joy and be gratified when he witnesses us living in obedience to him and unto his training. And the deal is we have that opportunity each moment of each day, unlike the puppies who are only taken out to perform periodically.

No matter how hard I strive to have that kind of discipline, I know I will always fall short because I allow the distractions of my wants, my insecurities and my shortcomings to get in the way. If I am to fulfill the purpose that God has given me, to know him, to love him, to enjoy him, to glorify him and to obey him, I have to be willing to set aside my will and seek his in all things. The way I figure it is this: I will be in training the rest of my life, and though I know I have made progress over the years, I will always be a pup in motion, no matter how old I am, and God will always be my master. For he holds the reigns and rights to life and to death and all the in betweens. The fields of life are his fields and the ones we find ourselves in are the ones he has allowed us to be in. If we respond to his training with heartfelt gratitude, dependence and trust then we will reap His heavenly rewards, one blessing at a time until one day we will be overflowing with his favor.

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Dear Lord, The blessings that are before us are ones you have hidden and we have found in the fields of life. May you continue to train us up in the ways we should go and help us to be disciplined and consistent in our efforts to pursue your will. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!