LIFE LESSONS LEARNED FROM DOGS I know, I know this sounds odd, but I have actually learned some, what I deem, life lessons for Christians from dogs I have owned and known. Let’s face it: we don’t NEED dogs but many of us choose to adopt them and very often they become a beloved part of our family. It has been so in my life. We always had dogs when I was growing up and when our boys were still young we adopted a mix breed mutt named Scruffy. It was amazing how this dog wormed his way into our hearts. Scruffy was affectionate but a good judge of character. Then there was Kaiser. Vicki and I adopted him when his owner, our eldest son, was killed in a car accident. Kaiser was not only smart and affectionate, he had personality. Now he was not necessary to our home until we chose him. You may need to understand that God does not really need us, our abilities, our talents, or our resources. He has everything He will ever need, BUT He chooses to redeem and adopt us as His own children. Now stay with me. Kaiser taught me how (in a very simple way) to relate to relate to my Master. When I would arrive at home, Kaiser knew immediately. He would be awaiting me at the front door and would have, if allowed to, scratched the door down to allow me entrance. When I opened the door, he responded like an exuberant child. He would turn around three times clockwise then three times anti-clockwise and ‘speak’ and do everything to keep from jumping all over me. How do we react in the presence of our Master? Are you enthralled with Him? Are you excited and thrilled when you are in his presence? Do you express this to Him? Now it might not entail running around in circles (though we all seem to do so for others), but do we express rejoicing in His presence? Then there were the ‘services’ Kaiser rendered us. He would bark at the Mail deliverer (I am certain he was convinced this person was out to murder us all). Kaiser would bark at any neighbor or miscreant who approached our house. Kaiser barked at squirrels (tree rats); foxes, deer and any other creature he saw invading his territory. Then there were the moments when, as Vicki and I would sit on the back porch, he would do his second favorite thing (eating was always first). Kaiser would come sit next to one of us and simply place his chin on our lap. This was his way of expressing his adoration for his master and mistress. He simply wanted to be with us. May I be so bold as to ask, do you regularly express adoration, love and complete devotion to God? I sure hope that, if a dog can do this with flawed humanity, that we can do this for a Holy, gracious and merciful God. But my dogs were not the only ones who taught be valuable life lessons. I had the privilege of watching trained sheep dogs work a flock of sheep once. Each dog had unique commands (unique to them) to make the flock move right or left or to move them into a pen. The fellow I witnessed using his three dogs this way was very interesting, but so were the dogs. While one would be working the sheep, the others almost seemed impatient to work for their master. One sort of bit at the ground. The two dogs waiting, also had learned the signals given to their fellow canines and you could see them anticipating what their ‘friend’ would do next. Though they had commands unique to themselves, they knew the commands their counterparts were receiving. They were eager to work for their master. One thing was certain, when their work was done the responded in doggy joy that what they had done had pleased their master. It seems to me we have an improper notion of how things are to be. We behave as if our Master (Jesus) is supposed to please us. Not so. Did you know that He did not save us for our sake but for His? Oh yes. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says, “and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” (NASB). Jesus saved us to LIVE FOR HIM—not self. Our life as a believer only takes on meaning as it is lived in the power and service of Jesus Christ. We were not saved to live for our own benefit (though we certainly do benefit) we were saved for the express purpose of GLORIFYING JESUS! Just like the sheep dogs mentioned earlier, we should be chomping at the bit to serve our Master. We should desire no greater blessing than His approval. Like my old pets we need to exult in His presence, desire to abide in His Presence, and ‘put our head in His lap,’ in adoration and worship. If a dog can muster such adoration for a fallen creature like mankind shouldn’t we be able to work up a bit of enthusiasm for the ONE (never has been another) who died and rose again on our behalf? Does your heart pant for Jesus? Tom Edwards—2014
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 17:58:37 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015