Learning from our Dog

My roommate Sarah told me about "cat and dog theology", which seems to stem from A cat would say something along the lines of "I am great and that's why you treat me well" while a dog says "You are great that's why you are good to me."

I had the whole morning and early afternoon off, and decided to sleep in. When I woke up, I put on some shorts and a t shirt and took Bear outside as part of his morning routine. I was walking around with Him enjoying the only breeze I'd probably feel for the day, when I decided that after he did what he needed to do I would take him out. I wanted to go to one of our most beautiful war memorial parks, Asan Beach, and go for a jog while Bear could do whatever it is that dogs do.

After he finished with his business, I was walking back up to the apartment, expecting him to follow me. He didn't. Instead, he decided to sniff one bush in the middle of our complex. I was calling for him, but he wouldn't come. He wanted to, but he wanted to stay. He had one eye on me and one eye on the bush. I wanted him to hurry up so I could take him to a bigger and better place, but he had no idea. I couldn't communicate that to him, either, so I just walked over, put his leash on, and he gently followed me back.

We finally ended up at Asan. I think the short time we spent there made both of our mornings- I've never seen a happier dog then when we're outside playing. If we can do this for our pets, how much more can our Father do for us? He gives us good gifts, provides for us, and has something better in mind then we can often even imagine. He washes us of our filth and leads us to rest. Bear had no idea that we were going to the beach. No matter how much I called his name he kept one eye on the little bush he was smelling and the other eye on me. He had no idea.

When we talk about really focusing on Jesus, I think we talk about knowing that He knows what He's doing and that we can trust him to lead us. Sometimes He has to come get us while we have one eye on Him and one on the figurative bush. I want to obey my master in the same way that I want my dog to obey us- to know and trust us in what we do, to be disciplined when wrong, and to be guided into paths that please us. Bear is not capable of  having the kind of lifestyle he has without a rescuer, such as Sarah and myself. He would otherwise just be a street dog or have been put to sleep in the shelter where we got him from. Just as we are nothing without Christ, our rescuer. If we know this to be true, then why do we feel the need to keep one eye on Him, and one on the familiar, when we will be abundantly provided for beyond our measure of knowledge and means of control when we keep both on Christ?