We’ve been out in rural northeastern Washington visiting my son where the nearest neighbor is about a mile away. It is beautiful here. Tall pine trees with long tan needles covering the ground like snow. Numerous pine cones dot the sandy soil. Rocks of all sizes scattered everywhere. Red sumac colors the hillsides. Yellow-orange willow trees add contrast. But my favorite part is the quiet. In the distance is a highway where you can hear an occasional car pass by.

Our puppy Rudy has enjoyed more freedom to roam here. Until now, he has either been in the fenced back yard, or on the leash. During our stay here, he’s been off leash most of the time. He loves running free. We’re on our way home now, so the wonderful freedom he has enjoyed will be curtailed. You see, one of the things he hasn’t learned quite yet is the command “come.” Once that happens, we will allow him to be off his leash in open spaces. 

Similarly, in our spiritual life, we sometimes stray away. Gently, the Holy Spirit tugs at us and asks us to “come.” Sometimes we want to obey and return to what we know is right. Other times, we ignore the command. We run off. Kind of like Rudy. He wants to obey, yet the temptation to go his own way is stronger and he runs the opposite direction.

I have come a long way since I put my faith in Jesus. Sometimes I ignore the tug of my conscience—which is the Holy Spirit—and struggle, wanting to go my own way. Pride or critical spirit pushes herself in.

We hope Rudy will learn to come. They say at puppy class and in our puppy book we should never scold when they don’t come, but reward when they do. Sometimes it’s hard for me to not raise my voice.

Our relationship with Christ is a bit like our relationship with our pup. Sometimes Jesus asks us to “come,” yet isn’t impatient with us, when we don’t. I think He’s more sad. That’s the thing. He’s given us a free will which means we can choose to follow—or not. I wonder when we do come to Him willingly, if it makes Him smile. 

I love giving  Rudy a treat when he obeys me. So much more must our Savior love to reward us when doing right.