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Mules and Grace


Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. (Psalm 32:9)

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:1-3)

He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. (John 2:25)

       The thought that comes to mind today is the question (again) of trust. Over the past thirty-six hours, my dog has shown great trust and lack of trust simultaneously three times. She fully trusts that if I walk out the door with a leash in my hand, I intend to put it on her, and she runs away, not trusting that my intent in putting it on her is for her safety, well-being, or even enjoyment. She does not come on command, even when offered a treat, for the same reasons. 
         I was nearly late to an appointment because she would not let me catch her, and then was determined to come out the door with me. I was concerned if I put her in the truck, it would get too warm, and I didn’t want to leave her outside for too long when I wasn’t home. Last night around 10:30, I went out to bring her in, and she wouldn’t come to me. We didn’t get to bed until nearly midnight. This morning, I put her out, and when it came time for us to take a walk, she wouldn’t come to me. I took the walk by myself, and she didn’t’ seem pleased when I got home. 
         This morning, one of the questions I answered on Quora had to do with whether or not I trust medical doctors. I explained the ways and reasons I do trust them (not always positive) and the ways and reasons I don’t trust them. Someone came back with a question of where I got my medical degree and a statement that she couldn’t wait to share what I’d said with doctors. I have to suppose she assumed that the doctors would be offended and join her in bullying me for my opinions. 
         Our trust is always provisional or conditional, and in some cases, this is wise. I trust that people will behave in accordance with their self-interest most of the time. I trust that people will sometimes rise above their self-interest when the need arises. I trust that after their self-interests, they will act in accordance with their beliefs. This doesn’t mean that I trust people will do what is good, better, or best. It just means that I trust that humans will be humans. I also trust that God will be God, and that in general, this is a good thing, but I also trust that God, in being God, will often act in ways that I won’t approve. This means that I trust Him to be God, which is good, but I’m also likely run away like Grace does. I want my way, like Grace does. That’s not good. 
         The result of the matter with Grace is that I have pulled out her 20-foot lead, and she is dragging it around the yard behind her, so that – like the horse and mule in the Psalms verse – if I want to catch her I can. That way she can be forced to do what is safe for her and, at least sometimes, what she actually wants to do. God warns us not to be like the mule or horse, but He knows how stubborn I can be.

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