Not too far from my house a man has a pair of mules and they're fun to see as we zoom past on our way to town. We've seen them scratching each other's backs, whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears and even just resting companionably in the sunshine.
This time past I noticed one was lying down resting and the other was nearby grazing, and I saw the evidence of their consistency. Where they lie down is worn down to bare dirt in an almost perfect circle, but beyond that circle all is green. I really wanted to stop and scratch their ears and tell them that if they would move their resting area over just ten feet they'd have nice soft, green grass to lie on. Do you think they'd listen to me and move? No, probably not. In that I'm just like those mules. I'm so stuck in my rut that I don't want to move even just a few feet to a nicer place.
God has provided me, and has offered me, a beautiful place to rest, but I stubbornly insist on staying in the same place I've aways been. I have a lot of mule in me and it's not how God meant me to be. He has green pastures and still waters for me, not just a small, hard packed circle of dirt. Maybe it's time for me to stop acting like a mule and remember that I'm a sheep listening to my Shepherd's voice and enjoy the good He has for me.
“The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.”
~Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB)
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Perfect analogy and very convicting. From one mule to another, you've given me something to pray about.
ReplyDeleteLike a mule I often get stuck in my own way of thinking. I sometimes feel that my way is best. How merciful God is at restoring our soul and leading us down the paths of righteousness even though we are sometimes stubborn. Thank you for reminding me that God still leads...no matter what :-)
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