Theology from a Dog

January 30, 2009 – 9:44 am

I want you to meet Copper. He’s a 30 pound cocker spanial / shihtzu mix. Copper has been a member of our family since he was born on March 12, 2004.

 

Copper is an awesome guy. He loves everyone who shows up at the door. Meeting people for the first time brings on a greeting like he’s known you forever and you were away for several months and just got back! I’m not sure if the dog is wagging the tail or the tail is wagging the dog, he gets so excited when anyone comes in.

 

In terms of pecking order, I’m the master - the leader of the pack. I’ll sit reading a book and feel the eyes staring into me. Sometimes it’s so obvious I’ll raise the book to block him from making eye contact. If I look back at him the room comes alive and he frolics as if to say "I got him right where I want him!" Bring on the treats - or the walk - or the ride - he doesn’t care which. All he cares about is having my attention.

 

I’ll put a treat on the floor and speak the command "stay".  He obeys. To stay focused and not get side-tracked by the delicious alternative only two feet from him his eyes connect with mine and that’s where his gaze remains. I’m sure I could stay there for hours and he wouldn’t move until I released him and said "fetch".

 

There are a lot of distractions around us. Those distractions sometimes get our focus away from our relationship with God. I was challenged in my own reading this morning, "Every time circumstances press in on you say, ‘Speak Lord,’ and make time to listen." (Oswald Chambers)

 

Ouch.

 

God is so distant at times. I actually feel it. I miss him. What hurts most is my realizing he didn’t move - unless he could get closer. I have renewed interest in the words of Scripture that challenge me to "strip off every weight that slows {me} down, especially the sin that so easily hinders {my} progress." I want to "run with endurance the race that God has set before {me}. {I} do this by keeping {my} eyes on Jesus, on whom {my} faith depends from start to finish." Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)

 

I need to focus on him. Everything else is just doggy biscuits.