Walking Alongside My Master

Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. (NKJV)

When I leave my house to take my dog out for a walk, he pulls on the lead like crazy. He is just so very excited at going out and getting exercise, it is very hard to hold on. In fact, to onlookers, it looks like he is taking me for a walk. I speak his name and tell him to "Heel!" but he doesn't listen.

Just around the corner is a school where I let him off the lead, to run off steam up and down the grass. He chases a ball and brings it back to me. After about ten minutes of this, I put him back on the lead and off we go for a walk around town. Now, when I say, "Heel!" he does exactly that, and walks right beside me. Now and then I have to remind him, but he listens and does as he's told.

He walks around, head held high, ignoring other barking dogs, and seems proud to be with me. Young children, with their parents or friends, ask if they can pet him. I tell him to "sit" and "stay" which he does obediently, and he appears to love the attention while they stroke him.

I'm afraid to say that this parallels my own life sometimes. I don't always obey my Master's commands. I try to run away and not listen. I stretch the lead further and further. I find, though, when I do listen and obey and not try to be the one in control, I feel much, much better. It's like I need a tug on a lead to remind me.

To trust and obey: I know there is no other way! I pray I continue to follow my Master and do all He asks of me each and every day. I will ignore the temptations of listening to other people's "barks" and joining in putting people down. I will keep on stopping to listen to other's problems, and strive to help however I can.

I am proud to walk with God, and pray that others will see Him through me in my everyday life, by what I say or do. I pray for guidance, help, and His love while I walk on the path He has chosen for me to follow.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please be with each and every one of us as we walk, sometimes boldly, oft times stumbling, along the path set out before us. Speak to us words of comfort, direction and assurance as we find our way. May we listen with eagerness to follow You and show others the way. Pick us up when we fall. Wrap your loving arms around us, and remind us that even though we sometimes drift and try to go our way, You are always around. Help us to ask and to listen. We love You, and pray this in Your precious name. Amen.

Saviour, let me walk beside Thee,
Let me feel my hand in Thine;
Let me know the joy of walking
In Thy strength and not in mine.
– Sidebotham

Galatians 5:25 – If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (NKJV)