Genni the wonder dog is a border
collie/basset hound cross. Picture if you can,
a full sized border collie on basset hound
legs with big basset feet and you'll be pretty
much bang on target. With her long border
collie coat and her short basset legs, she
needs to be trimmed regularly or the hair
drags on the ground and can make a mess of
whatever she drags along and her coat.
Last night was trimming night. Not a full
summer hair cut, just enough of a trim to keep
things from dragging. She doesn't like to be
trimmed and while she does stand still for it,
she seems very embarrassed and indignant. She
makes it clear to me that I'm quite rude for
trimming her and that it is a very undignified
process.
I know that the trim is for the best, but
she doesn't understand that. All she knows is
that she feels somehow violated and
embarrassed.
We can react the same way when God brings
something in our life into the light to be
worked on. Becoming more like Christ and
growing in Christian maturity is a process
that involves, over time, dealing with the
less than godly aspects of our behavior and
personalities.
God is a gentleman. He doesn't reveal all
of our faults at once because He knows we
wouldn't be able to deal with the extent of
changes.
God loves us and accepts us where we're at
when we come to Him. He knows that none of us
could ever earn our way to heaven on our own
merits. He also knows that on our own, we're
fleshly creatures who need a lot of reshaping
to be like Him.
God doesn't correct us to belittle us. He
brings things to our attention out of love and
a desire to see us be more like Him.
Know then in your heart that as a man
disciplines his son, so the LORD your God
disciplines you. Deuteronomy 8:5 NIV
Our fathers disciplined us for a
little while as they thought best; but God
disciplines us for our good, that we may
share in his holiness. 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. Hebrews 12:10-11 NIV
When God corrects us, we often react with
anger, embarrassment or excuses. What we do
past that point is up to us. We can feel
either convicted or condemned and there is a
big difference.
Conviction drives us towards the cross with
repentant hearts and a desire to have God
change us. Condemnation drives us away from
Jesus. Condemnation is like a wet wool blanket
over our spirit and comes from the pit of
hell.
Don't but into the condemnation from Satan.
Remember that God promises us that
Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law
of the Spirit of life set me free from the
law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Genni is a dog and doesn't know any better
than to be ruled by her feelings and
instincts. You are an intelligent child of God
who knows that the Word of God and His
promises are trustworthy.
Until next time, remember that it's normal
for God to do a little trimming in our lives.
So when He reveals something about you, that
you don't like, to you, don't turn away, run
into His open, loving and forgiving arms.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)!
Kevin
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