Lesson with the Horses

As a horse trainer, I continually find metaphors of life in what I do.  Last night, God gave me a word and a picture.  When I start horses, especially if they've never been touched before, I will work in a round pen.  For the most part I remain in the center area of the pen while the horse travels around me on the rail.  During this time, my goal is to develop a foundation of communication between me and the horse that will lead to trust and a partnership.  Periodically, I may invite the horse to join me in the middle.

 Generally, the horse may start to come in but then choose to return to the rail, not quite ready to trust me as his leader yet, even though where I am there is rest and assurance and safety.  The horse does not recognize this yet or, in some cases, is not willing to give up it's own leadership to one it doesn't believe can lead yet.  God revealed to me that we so often cling to our life on the rail, unwilling and unable to see and understand a life in the middle, in the presence of a great leader. 

I so long to be in His presence, and yet i return again and again to the rail...the groove i've worn into the ground.  I see in some of the horses what I feel.  As a trainer, I know what's best and what I want but i can't just tell them how to do it...i have to try to facilitate and support as they work it out...eventually joining me in the middle.  And here I am,  I do have the understanding and desire to be in the middle, but how to break away from my well-beaten path is a question I can't find an answere for.  And just like the horses I work with, no one else's answer is mine.  Each horse has unique solutions for their issues, and each of us have unique paths we must walk.