Clarity and Consistency

Write down the vision and make it plain on tablets so he may run who hears is. Habakkuk 2:2

I have been unable to get Dove (my 6-year-old border collie) to stop at the top of a fetch for quite some time. A fetch is when a shepherd sends a dog to run out and bring the sheep to the shepherd. The task is to have the dog run out around and past the sheep and stop behind them without disturbing the sheep, and then on command push them forward and down to the shepherd. If I am within 100 feet, I can get her to stop at the top but when I get further away, she does not stop at the top. I attended a clinic recently and the instructor (who is male, by the way) had no trouble getting her to perform at a distance. Normally this would frustrate me, but this time I was pleased, because I had obviously taught her what to do. But why did she listen to him at a distance and not me?

When training a fundamental skill, clarity and consistency rule the day. I believe when the instructor gave a command, he expected her to obey. And she did because she did have clarity about the command. I trained the skill, so she knew what command went with what behavior. However, when I gave the same command at a greater distance, she took it as a suggestion. But why did she think it was a suggestion? The inflection in our voice can determine a suggestion or a directive. And being inconsistent can create confusion, which results in the subject making their own decision. And in my case, I have been letting Dove get away with not doing what I ask every time. She is choosing when to listen to me and when not to. As the distance increased, she was deciding what to do. I needed to make her lie-down when asked. Right now, each time, every time! Consistency! Down, means down each and every time I ask it!

This was an "ah ha!" moment. Dove can do what I want, I just need to be able to enforce it. "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." Proverbs 15:22 It took going to this clinic to get a tweak in my perspective and I was able to make the adjustments to Dove's training.

God is clear and consistent in his Word. And when I live a life consistent with the word of God and my message to others is clear and concise my witness will be fruitful. Let us all take note of Dove's training and live life with clarity and consistency.

“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9