by Alan Langstaff

This week’s Langstaff Letter is different. Instead of an article dealing with issues, I want to share a story my wife Dorothy used to use in her classes at ACTS Bible School. It is a parable in that it teaches us about the choices people make. It is the story of two colts who chose differently. Dorothy loved this parable, and she used it often. Here it is.

TWO COLTS WHO CHOSE DIFFERENTLY!

“Perhaps you have often wondered why some of your Christian friends continue to do certain things that the Lord has forbidden you to do.

The following vision, given to a minister one day, may help you to better understand the Lord’s dealings with those who choose to submit to Him, and you will also better appreciate why His discipline in your life is so important.

On a dirt road in the middle of a wide field stood a beautiful carriage, something on the order of a stagecoach, but it had beautiful carvings and was all edged in gold. It was pulled by six large chestnut horses, two in the lead, two in the middle and two in the rear. …

The horses were not stamping their feet or acting restless. And thought there were bells on their feet, the bells were not tinkling. There were also pom-poms on their harness over their heads, but the pom-poms were not moving either. The horses were simply standing still and quiet, waiting for the voice of their Master.

As I watched the harnessed horses, I noticed two young colts coming out of the open field. As they approached the carriage they seemed to say to the horses: Come and play with us! We have many fine games, we will race with you, come catch us…And with that the colts kicked up their heels, flicked their tails and raced across the field. But when they looked back and saw the horses were not following, they were puzzled. You see, these colts knew nothing about a harness, and could not understand why the horses did not want to play.

Again they seemed to call to them: Why do you not race with us? Are you tired? Are you too weak? Do you not have strength to run? Do you not like to play? You are much too solemn; you need more joy in life.

But the horses answered not a word, neither did they stamp their feet or toss their heads. They just stood quiet and still, waiting for the voice of their Master.

Once again the colts called back to them: “Why do you stand in the hot sun? Come over here in the shade of these nice trees. See how green the grass is? You must be hungry, come and feed with us. You look thirsty, come drink from one of our many streams of cool, clear water.”

The horses answered them with not so much as a glance! They stood still, waiting for the command to go forward with their Master.

And then the scene changed. I saw lariat nooses fall around the necks of the two colts. They were led off to the Master’s corral for training and discipline. How sad they were as the lovely green fields disappeared. Soon they were put into the confinement of the corral with its brown dirt and high fence. The colts ran from fence to fence seeking freedom, but found that they were confined to this place of training.

Next I saw the Trainer come to work with them. He had a whip and a bridle. What a drastic change for these colts who had been accustomed to complete freedom! They could not understand the reason for this torture, this terrible discipline. What great crime had they done to deserve this? Little did they know of the responsibility that was to be theirs when they had submitted to the discipline, and learned to perfectly obey the Master. All they know was that this training was the most terrible thing they had ever known.

One of the colts rebelled under the training and said, “This is not for me. I like my freedom, my green hills, my flowing streams of fresh water. I will not take any more of this confinement or terrible training.” So he found a way out, jumped the fence and ran happily back to the meadows of tender, green grass!

I was astonished that the Master let him go, and went not after him. Instead, He devoted His attention to the remaining colt. This colt, though he had the same opportunity to escape, decided to submit his own will to the Master and to learn His ways.

Now the training got harder than ever, but the colt was rapidly learning more and more how to obey the slightest wish of the Master, and to respond even to the quietness of His voice. I then realized that had there been no training, no testing, there would have been neither submission nor rebellion from either of the colts. For in the field they did not have the choice to rebel or submit—they were sinless in their innocence. But when brought to the place of testing and training and discipline, only then was made manifest the obedience of one and the rebellion that lay hidden in the heart of the other.

For a moment I pondered: It just might be safer to not come to the place of discipline because of being found rebellious! But then I realized that without this discipline and training there could be no sharing of His glory—no sonship.

Finally, this period of training was over. Was the submissive colt now rewarded with his freedom and sent back to the wide open fields? Oh no! Instead a greater confinement than ever before now took place as a harness dropped over his body. Now he found there was not even the freedom to run about the small corral, for in the harness, he could only move where and when his Master spoke! And unless He spoke, he stood still.

The scene changed and I saw the other colt standing on the side of a hill, nibbling at some grass. Then across the field, down the road came the Master’s carriage drawn by six horses. With amazement the colt saw that in the lead, on the right side, was his brother colt. He was now strong and mature because of the good corn in the Master’s stable.

Looking closely, he saw the lovely pom-poms shaking in the wind, noticed the glittering gold-bordered harness about his brother, heard the beautiful tinkling of the bells on his feet. Envy came into his heart. He complained to himself. “Why has my brother been so honored and I am neglected? They have not put bells on my feet, nor pom-poms on my head. The Master has not given me the wonderful responsibility of pulling His carriage, not put about me a gold-bordered harness. Why has He chosen my brother instead of me?”

As I watched, the Lord seemed to say, “Because one submitted to the will and discipline of the Master and one rebelled, thus has one been chosen and the other set aside.”

Then I saw a great drought sweep across the countryside. The green grass became dead, dry, brown and brittle. The cool, fresh streams of water dried up, and there was only a small muddy puddle here and there. I saw the little colt (I was amazed that it never seemed to grow or mature) as he ran here and there across the fields looking for fresh streams and green pastures. But he found none! Still he ran, seemingly in circles, always looking for something to feed upon. But there was a famine in the land, and the rich, green pastures and flowing streams of yesterday were not to be had.

One day the colt stood on the hillside on weak and wobbly legs, wondering where to go next to find food, and how to get strength to go. It seemed like there was no use, for good food and flowing streams were a thing of the past. And to make matters worse, all his vain efforts to find food only taxed his waning strength!

Suddenly he saw the Master’s carriage coming down the road again. There was his brother, fat and strong, muscles rippling, sleek and beautiful with much grooming! He was much perplexed and amazed. He cried out: “My brother, where do you find the food to keep you so strong and fat in these days of famine? I have run everywhere in my freedom searching for food, but I find none. Where do you in your awful confinement, find food in this terrible time of drought? Please tell me for I must know.”

Then the answer came back from a voice filled with victory and praise: “In the confining limitations of my Master’s stables He feeds me by His own hand. His granaries are never empty and His well never runs dry!”`

Now what does this vision say to us? Surely among all of His children, that is, those who are called according to His purpose, God can choose only those for special service who are willing to be disciplined and taught. It is one thing to be called, and yet another thing to be chosen.

In Matthew 20:16 we read, “…the last shall be first, and first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”

It seems that in nearly every ‘family circle’ there are those who cannot see the value of discipline, or the reason for learning obedience. Many young folk imagine that their parents are merely imposing their desires for their own selfish interests. While this might sometimes be true in the earthly family, though it is not likely, we can be sure that God never puts His children into His bridle or harness just to make life miserable for them.

We must see there is always wisdom in God’s ways: As the carriage driver must have horses who are completely trustworthy in every situation, so God must have disciplined sons who have proven themselves completely faithful. While the way of discipline may, for the moment, seem grievous, yet it will surely work for good to those who love the Lord, who are called according to His purpose.

And it is not just the good it will bring to those who are disciplined. God’s larger purpose in disciplining us is that we might help others. In every generation God has had those who accepted His training and preparation—those who have become a ‘team’ in His hand. Such persons have learned to find their nourishment and supply in God alone, and thus they are able in the time of spiritual famine and trial to give nourishment to others who are in need.

We ask: How many are called to this way of discipline? If we understand God’s Word aright, He is saying that “many are the called.” All through the scriptures those who come to know Christ in salvation are considered to be “the called.” But among the called, there are only a few who will accept God’s training and discipline. These few become “the chosen.” 

It is not that God has arbitrarily chosen some and rejected others—it is by complete submissiveness to God that young colts determine how usable they are.”

(From “Seeing God’s Wisdom in Everything” published by Ministry Life, Inc, ©️ 1970)

A CLOSING THOUGHT

Well, I hope you liked the story, but more than that, you realized it was a parable about discipline. 

Let’s be honest, most people need more discipline in their lives. But discipline requires the accompanying call to obedience.

These two together can make a difference in our lives, so let’s aim to be a person of discipline and obedience.