Finding God’s Will

Many of us hunger to ascertain God’s will. But we know our own propensity for hard-headedness, and we’re afraid we’ll miss it. Let me offer some comfort with a story about our corgi.

Recently our dog was asked to be ring bearer in our friends’ wedding.

Suddenly, Chesterton the Corgi’s paw-rents had a specific will for him: that he would make it down the aisle on the big day. Chesterton’s calling was to walk from the barn door, down the grassy pathway, past the rows of guests, to the cross, where the wedding party would be standing in the sunshine waiting for him. That was our will for him. The master’s will.

Chesterton did not know our will for him. But he is a real good boy. His heart is to obey. He could have panicked that he did not know our will. But instead he stayed by my side just as real good boys and girls do.

For months, I trained Chesterton using the command, “Chesterton, the RINGS!” At first, of course, he had no idea what this command meant, but I helped him out by holding out a treat to give him a pretty good idea he should come to me. Over time, he learned to trot his fluffy fox self right to me and sit down at my feet.

Then I began to train him in new, unfamiliar environments, such as Downtown Nampa. That way he could generalize obedience to, “The RINGS!” to many different environments.

Finally, the day of the rehearsal arrived. We clipped his silky black bow tie around his neck and drove to Kuna.

We decided the mother of the bride and matron of honor, Sarah, would pronounce the command, “Chesterton, the RINGS!” Sarah’s voice is soft (somewhat like the Holy Spirit?), so getting Chesterton’s attention was the challenge. But once he realized she was calling him (and holding a treat bag!), he SPRINTED down the aisle full corgi speed. Not a solemn wedding gait at all. But cute.

We practiced several times at the rehearsal - Chesterton would come back down the aisle to me, then sprint to the bride’s mom to get his treat. We now could tell Chesterton had an idea of what to do; the challenge on the wedding day would be getting his attention.

The next day, the wedding day, we dressed Chester up in his handsome tux and made our way out to Kuna.

The processional began, and I held onto Chester at the entrance of the barn, ready to release him to Sarah’s command. At long last, the bridal party was all in place by the cross, and the moment came. The Call. “Chesterton, the RINGS!” And - nothing. Chesterton stood there dazed and confused. People everywhere - any of whom might be interested in petting him. Yards of grass to run in in every direction. He was like a sheep without a shepherd.

But we weren’t about to abandon him or let him fail.

My husband saw the problem and jumped in. He knew Chester couldn’t hear Sarah, so he jumped to his rescue and began to walk next to him. Chester looked up and saw his dad beside him, and followed along. Finally he knew what he was born to do. He trotted down the aisle like a champ, arriving safely at Sarah’s side, where the rings were promptly removed from him.

I tell this story to say, God is not in the business of confusing us. His heart toward us is warm and fatherly - He wants to see us doing His will, making a difference in the world. He will train us and prepare us. He will call our names. Over and over again. And when all else fails, He will walk by our side in the direction we should go, if we will but look up and notice Him there.