Yes, you got the title clear. Seems silly, but so true.
I have two dogs. Mollie, my older dog (about 7), is a Terrier mix- looks like Benji. The younger, Cocoa (9 months), is a Yorkie.
Mollie's personality over time, has become that of total obedience and faithfulness. You couldn't ask for a better animal to keep. She's so smart. Cocoa on the other hand, is a little feisty, sometimes rebellious, A.D.D. sort of dog. So funny, that although they are much alike in species, they are so different in nature.
I watched them this morning, thinking of how much they reminded me of humans and how we family members can be so much the "same in species (DNA), but yet so different in our natures.
Mollie came to me and laid herself down at my feet on the cold floor as I sat down thinking about doing my Bible study. Cocoa, she just did her own thing over to the side on the nice, plush doggie bed. They both get lots of love and taken well care of...maybe even the baby gets more, "because" she's the baby- yet she chooses not to draw near to me this morning.
I realized suddenly that God wanted to teach me a lesson this morning- that what I was viewing was a picture of what we are, as opposed to what Christ WANTS from us- and all for our very best interest.
Mollie, was the picture of what Christ WANTS from us. Cocoa is "what we ARE."
Mollie chose to sit at the feet of her master-no matter how uncomfortable the circumstances were. Cocoa- she was all about herself and her comfort- and to her detriment- she didn't get the blessing of the love poured out on her from displaying her adoration and love for her master. Mollie reaped the benefit of doing what was best for her, and Cocoa didn't. Mollie has matured into knowing that this was the better part. Cocoa is still in the "baby phase" of her life, and missed out.
I suddenly felt the WOW factor. That "ah-ha" moment, when God clearly shows you something about your own self, through something so silly as a pair of dogs.
It's a shame I have to be reminded so much.
Sometimes I am annoyed by Mollie's repetitive following of me, and being right up underneath my feet. She just loving stares up to me with such admiration and faithfulness to her master-whether or not I'm paying attention to her-whether or not I act like I care for HER.
God expects this kind of love and attention from us. We, however, have the benefit that HE will love us madly- at ALL TIMES...and it's never conditional. He's never annoyed by our pleadings, our following Him, our desire to be near Him. He absolutely LOVES it, as a matter of fact.
Scripture gives us clear direction in this...
Jer 29:11-14
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
And I will be found of you, saith the LORD.
*WE MUST COME TO GOD IN AN HUMBLENESS, WITH GREAT LOVE AND EXPECTATION, IN ORDER TO BE SHOWERED WITH HIS CLEANSING & RECEIVE HIS BLESSINGS.
Jam 4:6-8
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but
giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands,
[ye] sinners;
and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
I'm feeling a bit double-minded this morning. Guilty, is more like it. Guilty of not casting my every care at HIS feet that I may be blessed. Guilty of "not" laying at the feet of Jesus near enough. No WONDER I get overwhelmed with the every day cares of this world much too often. It's my own fault.
1 Peter 5:5-7
Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
This whole dog thing this morning, put me in mind of the story of the sisters in Scripture, Mary and Martha- and how God showed them what the "better part" was. Martha was hung up in trying to "serve" him and be the "good doer," when all Christ wanted from her, was her love in worship- so that He could bless her. He WANTS us to learn of and from Him.
We humans get so hung up in "making things happen," that we tend to sometimes forget WHAT the "better part" is. It is spending time at the feet of the master.
Luke 10:38-42
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him (Jesus) into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
As crazy as it sounds...I am thinking I must purpose myself be more like my Mollie, and less like Cocoa. More like Mary, and less like Martha.
Time to delve into the Word and humbly bow at the feet of Jesus this morning! Purposing a RITUAL of this seems good here... ;)
