Domination impacts the development of the individual because they are precluded from having all options open to them and their future growth is limited. It is similar to the bound feet of Chinese women in earlier times. The growth of the feet is controlled by outside influences and does not fully develop. And yet when the bindings are removed, there is great pain as the foot now seeks to grow because of the earlier constraints.

There is healthy obedience. In this, there is a respect between the individual and the authority figure that allows for proper growth without placing the individual into situations that are beyond there capability.

Many cannot see such a relationship with God. Their relationships with other authority figures in their lives have provided an unhealthy interaction. As a result, they have developed an unhealthy picture of how Obedience can facilitate their growth from one stable day to another. And unhealthy relationships exist both within the religious and non-religious worlds.

But for those of us who have developed a healthy relationship with God, we can see His gentle hand guiding us day by day. We know him as the Good Shepherd who will not allow us to become too dependent, but also not desire us to go off with full license to do whatever we please regardless of the impact to ourselves or others. We can also see that He does not seek to dominate us.

There is a healthy point within the center of those three facets of obedience where we get the lessons that are necessary for our development, without putting us in harms way beyond our ability to handle the situation.

And that is the path that will develop the best foundation for each new day. The ebb and flow of life is ….

You fill in the blank, because it is different for each of us.

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