Output Via Input

 

Training horses, training people and training people to train horses is a very interesting life occupation.  I have many opportunities to observe the learning process of both people and horses.  When people bring their horses to me for help, I find that one of the most common ways that they have gotten into trouble with their horses is this:  They are introducing a cue to get a response from the horse, the horse is responding to the cue, but not doing what they thought they ask for.  The horse usually gets the blame.  Ninety nine percent of the time, the rider is not giving the right cue to get the response they are looking for.  Horses will always respond to cues, and almost one hundred percent of the time, they are doing EXACTLY what the rider cued them to do.  The question then becomes, "Is the input correct to get the output that I want?" 

 

Horse training is simply introducing cues and rewarding or correcting the response in a consistent and repetitive manner.  The horse that is understanding the process gets quieter and better and advances in his training.  The one who is not understanding gets ratty, scared and nervous and goes backwards in the training process.  He learns responses like bracing, tossing his head, jigging, and even balking and rearing.  I have had horses that were really messed up change drastically in the matter of a three day clinic or in the space of three or four rides here at the ranch.  Why?  Because the input was changed - the cue was understood - and the horse responded with the positive and correct response.  He can never respond properly if the cue is not given where he can understand it.  He can only learn by what he is shown.  They don't train themselves correctly any more than children do.  They will become trained and learn correctly or incorrectly, depending upon the input. Output is by way of input. Output is a direct result of input. 

 

It is the same way in our lives.  We are where we are today because of the input and choices we made yesterday.  Where we will be tomorrow will be a result of the input and choices we make today.  Choices made on a consistent basis make up our lives.  A very wise unknown artist said it like this:

 

Sow a thought

Reap an action

Sow an action

Reap a habit

Sow a habit

Reap a destiny.

 

Our destiny begins with a simple thought process.  Some of us are like the horses that were not started correctly as a young horse and need to be redone.  Some are like the horse that received correct and  consistent training from the beginning, but didn't always choose to follow it.  Most horses and people are a combination of those two.  Jesus Christ gives us all the same instructions no matter where we started from.  He instructs us to think differently from the world and line our thoughts up with His word.  When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we move our citizenship into the Kingdom of God and out of the world system. We now have the opportunity to change our thinking process by introducing our minds to new input.  When the new input is followed consistently and continually, we begin to make choices and responses that will bless our lives.  When we don't renew and re-do, we can still be a Christian that is following the ways of the old world system listening to an unrenewed mind. 

 

A horse is transformed by training.  It is such fun to watch a horse go from being useless to becoming useful through the training process.  We are also given instructions to become transformed.  Romans 12 1-2 I beg you brothers in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Where the rubber meets the road, this passage is giving me a choice.  Keep thinking the way I did and become conformed to the world or change my input and become transformed by way of renewing my mind.   Input equals output until I am one or the other - conformed or transformed.  Conformation is following negative input - transformation is following positive input. 

 

We are like the horse - we are being trained - the question is by whom?  Our destiny is shaped by the input that we are following.  Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians. 4:4) and Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Kingdom of God.  To be conformed is to follow your flesh.  To be transformed is to follow His spirit.  When we make a choice to read the word of God and follow it, we always overcome the world system.  You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.  For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world.  (1 John 4:4 and 5:4a) 

 

We all have eternal life.  Accepting Christ is making a choice to spend it in the non-smoking section.  That is only the start.  Choosing to renew and redo input is a NOW thing that will shape not only your destiny on this earth - but your rewards in the Kingdom to come.