Lessons from a Sheep Dog

Trust and Obedience: The Foundation of a Transformed Relationship

"Lass discovered, to her delight, that what she had found was not new chains, abuse, or bondage. What she had come home to was warmth, understanding, affection, and the thrilling freedom to fulfill the purposes for which she had been bred."

A new beginning. When Phillip Keller rescued Lass from her abusive situation, he offered her a chance at a new life. Initially distrustful and resistant, Lass gradually learned to trust her new master as she experienced his kindness and care.

The power of trust. As Lass began to trust Keller, she discovered a newfound freedom to become who she was meant to be. This transformation mirrors the spiritual journey of humans who learn to trust in God. When we submit to God's will, we often find that what seemed like restriction actually leads to liberation and fulfillment.

Obedience as an expression of love. Lass's growing obedience to Keller's commands was not born out of fear, but out of love and trust. Similarly, our obedience to God should stem from a place of love and gratitude, not obligation or fear of punishment.

Freedom Comes Through Submission to the Right Master

"Little did I then comprehend the wondrous ways of God or His hand at work behind the scenes of my affairs. Little did I realize the enormous, eternal lessons He would teach me on those wind-blown acres where I struggled to make a beautiful county estate out of derelict land."

The paradox of freedom. Keller's experience with Lass taught him that true freedom often comes through submission to the right authority. When Lass was "free" to do whatever she wanted, she was actually enslaved by her fears and destructive behaviors. It was only when she submitted to Keller's guidance that she found true freedom to become her best self.

God's mysterious ways. Just as Keller couldn't foresee the lessons he would learn through Lass, we often can't see how God is working in our lives. What may seem like setbacks or limitations can actually be opportunities for growth and transformation.

Transformation through relationship. The story of Lass illustrates how a loving relationship can transform both parties. As Lass learned to trust and obey Keller, she became a joyful and productive companion. Similarly, as we grow in our relationship with God, we can experience profound personal growth and find our true purpose.

Learning to Listen: The Key to Effective Service

"Lass gave me the distinct impression that we were becoming the very best of friends. She let me know that ranch life was a great game she enjoyed to the full."

The importance of communication. Lass learned to listen not only to Keller's verbal commands but also to his hand signals. This keen attention to her master's wishes enabled her to work effectively even at a distance. In our spiritual lives, learning to discern God's guidance – whether through Scripture, prayer, or circumstances – is crucial for effective service.

Joy in service. As Lass grew in her ability to understand and respond to Keller, she found great joy in her work. What once seemed like restrictive commands became an exciting game. This illustrates how obedience to God, far from being burdensome, can lead to fulfillment and joy.

Developing spiritual sensitivity. Just as Lass learned to be attuned to Keller's every signal, we can develop a sensitivity to God's leading in our lives. This requires practice, patience, and a willingness to respond promptly when we sense God's direction.

Faithfulness in Small Tasks Leads to Greater Responsibilities

"Stay. This explicit word meant for her to remain steady wherever she was placed."

The challenge of staying. For Lass, one of the most difficult commands to obey was "Stay." This required her to remain in one place, often out of sight of her beloved master. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, sometimes the hardest thing is to remain faithful in mundane or seemingly unimportant tasks.

The importance of steadfastness. Keller emphasizes that being faithful in small, unglamorous tasks is often more important than performing spectacular feats. This reflects Jesus' teaching that those who are faithful in small things will be entrusted with greater responsibilities.

Trust in the master's plan. Staying put when told required Lass to trust that Keller had a good reason for his command, even when she couldn't see it. In the same way, we are often called to trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand it or when it seems that nothing significant is happening.

Overcoming Distractions to Stay Focused on Your Purpose

"Circumstances which are not part of His purposes for us intrude themselves into our experience. At first appearance, they may seem harmless, even somewhat entertaining."

The danger of distractions. Lass was often tempted to chase crows or sparks from fires, abandoning her assigned tasks. These distractions, while entertaining, were ultimately unproductive and sometimes harmful. In our spiritual lives, we face similar temptations that can pull us away from our true purpose.

Discernment is crucial. Keller learned to distinguish between activities that were truly productive and those that were merely spectacular or entertaining. This discernment is crucial in our spiritual lives as well, as we seek to focus on what truly matters in God's eyes.

Energy management. Chasing distractions not only took Lass away from her duties but also exhausted her, leaving her less effective for important tasks. Similarly, we need to be mindful of how we spend our energy, focusing on activities that align with our God-given purpose.

Love and Discipline: Essential Elements for Growth and Restoration

"Discipline is never pleasant. The correction that comes with love causes pain both for the administrator and the recipient. Many of us prefer to push it all aside. We find it easier to simply brush bad behavior to one side, acting as if it did not matter."

The necessity of discipline. Keller found that his love for Lass required him to discipline her when she went astray. This discipline, while unpleasant, was essential for her growth and effectiveness. Similarly, God's love for us often involves discipline to help us grow and stay on the right path.

Discipline as an act of love. The author emphasizes that true love includes discipline. Just as Keller disciplined Lass for her own good and the good of the flock, God disciplines us out of love, not anger or punishment.

Restoration after discipline. Keller always made sure to restore his loving relationship with Lass after disciplining her. This mirrors God's approach to us – discipline is always followed by an opportunity for restoration and renewed intimacy.

Unconditional Availability: The Ultimate Expression of Devotion

"Available for Anything. The realization that though she was only a dog, she exhibited this remarkable trait in all of our years together, was tremendously challenging."

Readiness to serve. Lass's willingness to be available for any task, at any time, deeply impressed Keller. This attitude of unconditional availability is a powerful example of what true devotion to God looks like in practice.

Flexibility and trust. Being available for anything required Lass to trust Keller completely and be flexible in her expectations. Sometimes she was asked to perform difficult or unpleasant tasks, but her trust in her master allowed her to do so willingly. This illustrates the kind of trust and flexibility we are called to have in our relationship with God.

The impact of availability. Lass's constant readiness to serve made her an invaluable partner in managing the ranch and caring for the sheep. In the same way, our willingness to be available to God can make us effective instruments in His hands, bringing blessing to others and fulfillment to ourselves.