Tanner outfitted with halter and lead.

I was teaching Tanner, our yearling German Riding Pony, the boundaries and manners of the halter and lead rope.

Once a week, I halter, lead, and tie him, before giving him a thorough grooming.

Because a yearling is still developing physically and mentally, I do not do any significant training beyond these simple sessions.  Even so, I make a point of mucky mucking around with him often, because two years from now, I don’t want to start handling a full grown horse, wild as a coyote with no respect for humans.

I had led Tanner back to the pasture and was just about to take his halter off.  Suddenly Shadow, our golden retriever jumped through the fence.  Tanner was startled and bolted, obeying his natural flight instinct.  My shoulders departed their sockets, but I managed to stay on my feet and hang on.  Spooked by the dog and now the resistance on the halter, Tanner tried to break away from my hold.  The nylon rope slid through my grip, and I felt my fingerprints melting off.  But, in spite of this fresh reminder why I should always wear gloves when handling young colts, I held on.

I held on because I knew that one way or the other, this was going to be a lesson for this colt.  If I was able to hang on, the boundaries of the halter and lead rope would be reinforced in his mind.  But if he got away, the next time he would be that much quicker to resort to pulling and running, and that he would pull that much harder and longer, knowing that he could escape if he fought hard enough.

And so … I held on.

*****

I think it is the same with integrity.

The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. 

Proverbs 11:3

Intentionally or not, we make certain claims about ourselves.   By our thoughts and actions, we have declared the boundaries of our integrity.  “This is who I am, this is what I stand for, this is the reputation I will make for myself, and these are the people that I will, or will not, allow myself to be influenced by.”

We’ve made these claims, but just like Golden Retrievers, temptation arrives unexpectedly.  And suddenly, the option to throw off the restraints of integrity and take an easier path is before us.

Here are some conversations I’ve have had with myself; “It’s no big deal.”, “No harm will come from it just this once.”, “This is as far as it goes.  Next time I won’t.”  Sound familiar?   Here’s the problem.  Once we’ve broken the boundaries of our integrity and muscled over our conscience, it just gets easier and easier.  And like a horse that breaks away from his handler, next time we will push against the boundaries of integrity with greater strength and determination.

If you are exceptionally wise, before temptation even enters the picture, you will hand the lead rope of control over to God and allow him to guide you within His boundaries of integrity.  Here’s another promise for you; these boundaries were not designed by God to ruin your fun.  On the contrary, they are designed to preserve you, to keep you travelling the unique, exciting and incredibly rewarding plan He has made just for your life.

     As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And You set me in     Your presence forever. 

Psalm 41:12

I was at the end of the lead rope and quickly losing the advantage of angle.

Suddenly (and thankfully), I saw Tanner choose.  He quit pulling and took a step towards me, releasing the tension on the lead.  I waited, soothing with my voice and giving him a moment to relax.  Hand outstretched I walked towards him.  Then while I kept talking to him, I scratched all his favourite spots.

I slid the halter off his head and walked back to the gate.  When I turned around, Tanner was following me, his ears pricked forward, trusting and happy.

I scratched his withers once more.  “Now you are a horse with potential.”