It’s amazing what you can learn from watching animals. Cats are extremely independent, stubborn creatures, aren’t they? They do what they want, when they want, and how they want. I think God allows us to have cats so that we can see ourselves in them.
I have a friend, Amy, who has two cats: Baxter and Betty. Two different personalities, genders, and wants; but very loving towards their human.
One day, Amy asks Betty if she wants to go outside and lay in the hammock. Immediately she starts chirping, rolling on the floor, making all kinds of weird happy noises. My friend opens the door and out of the house she goes, rolling around on the pavement making her happy chattering, squeaky noises. They go to the hammock together and lay down for a mid-afternoon rest. There’s no worry that Betty will run away or get into trouble; she stays close to Amy’s side without fear.
Baxter on the other hand has to stay inside.
I asked, “So why don’t you let Baxter out with you?”
“Because he’s a butthole. He wants to run away and eat grass like an idiot. No matter what I do he just does what he wants and he doesn’t get to hang out with me outside. He could be out here with me if he would just stay by my side and not eat grass.”
So, there is Baxter, watching his sister have all the fun and freedom because he refuses to be obedient to his human.
It’s really not that hard, is it?
Humans are not so different, are they? I mean there is freedom within obedience. With more obedience comes more freedom, and reward.
If children are more obedient with putting their toys away in their proper place, they get to have more toys.
If kids are more obedient with getting homework done as soon as they come home, they get to stay up later and watch a movie with the adults.
If teenagers are more obedient with coming home early, they get to stay out past midnight on special occasions.
I remember when I was a pre-adolescent enjoying the freedom my parents allowed me to have. I think I was a pretty good kid. When I came home when the streetlights came on, I received more freedom later on. When I didn’t, and my mother had to find me — I endured her wrath. As a teenager when I was where I was supposed to be with the car, I enjoyed the freedom of driving it. If I took my friends home from football practice like I was told not to do — I had the car privileges taken away. It’s really that simple.
It’s the same with God
God, the Father wants to reward those for obedience as well. Here are some examples:
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
First, it is impossible to please God without faith. It takes faith to believe in a being you cannot see or hear. Not only that, it takes even greater faith to be ruled by such an authority. But God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Seek after God, and He will reward you. With what? It doesn’t say specifically. But God knows His children, and He rewards them all with good things.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
Revelation 22:12-13 NKJV
Jesus rewards those who are obedient and do good works. Those who do not receive the rewards of eternal life are the dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and those who practice lies (Revelation 22:15). These are the sons of disobedience in which God’s wrath is the only reward they will receive (Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6). Every transgression and act of disobedience will receive a just reward (Hebrews 2:2).
You are chastened if you are children
It is only children that are chastened by the parents, not stranger’s kids. Scripture tells us this in detail:
And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:5-11 NKJV
If you are chastened to obedience, you are loved by the Lord, and the parents.
My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:11-12 NKJV
How do you raise children to obey quickly, thoroughly, cheerfully, and without complaining? Set the example. Of course, if teenagers never had this example set as children: whether they are adopted, fostered, or have inept parents, it is very hard to show them this.
But if you want to eat grass and run away — an indoor cat is what you’ll be, never to experience the outside.
If you want freedom to be where the Master is — the bliss of freedom is what you will receive.
Job said it best, “…happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore, do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17)
Pens & Wrenches 
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