As a horse trainer, I do not use force or meanness of any kind to train my horses. I will step by step gain trust and connection with my horse. This will gain a deeper trust and connection allowing me to do amazing things with my horses. It does take persistent effort. I suppose I could train horses faster if I used spurs and force but the only connection I would have with the horse would be set on a fear basis which isn't worth it in my opinion and does not set up a good relationship/partnership. I want my horse to trust me and want to do the right thing because of our deep connection of mutual love and trust that our journey together over time has built up.
My thought is this...Is that deep connection what we desire of our relationship with God? Or do we think God is out to get us? Sometimes horses think that I am pretty scary just by being too close to them or moving too fast. Basically I do nothing but they still see me as a threat. We have no connection. So the first thing we work on is connecting with each other. Maybe I just get the horse to look at me first. Then a step toward me, then I see if the horse can follow me around. These are all small steps to connecting with a horse. These steps may sound pretty small to you but they lead to significant accomplishments later.
Did you know that deep connection with God is very similar? Every true believer will desire a deeper connection with God at sometime in their journey. In fact that is something we should desire every year! A deeper connection a deeper love and trust in God. You can have that deep connection just by doing the small steps like I do with training horses. 1. Look to Jesus. Just as I have the horse look to me. 2. Step closer to him. Delve into the Bible. Pray. Which is similar to me asking the horse to step toward me. Now that you are looking to God for help step closer to him. 3. the last step to deeper connection is follow Him. Don't just follow him up mountains follow him through the valleys and the scary objects. That's how deep connection works. Horses will learn they can trust me through it all. And we as believers need to be willing to trust God through it all because that will lead us to deeper connection with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Did you know that God designed us to connect with Him and each other on a deep level? We can only connect deeply with God when we trust Him completely. We can only connect deeply with each other when we truly love and care for each other. The people I feel safest with are those that I know will be there for me no matter what or those that have seen me at my worst and still choose to love me... that's an example of a deep connection. I am so thankful for these people in my life. We should strive to be those kind of people others can trust and feel safe. This is after all a commandment in the Bible. The first is to love the Lord our God with all our heart soul mind and strength. The second is to love our neighbors as ourself.
That's exactly what God wants of each one of us. Did you know the God of the universe loves you so deeply that He desires you to know Him? The Bible says he is a jealous God and wants you to desire Him as much as He desires you. But He gives us a choice. God does not force you into a relationship with Him. You have to desire it and want it. You have to choose Jesus. Just as I don't force a horse to trust me, they have to choose to trust me. And that's the first step to a deeper connection with God. Choosing God.
As you go through your journey with God you will experience a deep connection with Him when you first remember to look up to Him, ask Him for help and follow Him wherever He leads you. This will require complete trust in God. The journey with God is not easy but it is worth pursuing. A deeper connection with God is available to you when you pursue Him.
