Articles
Lessons from a Puppy
Lessons from a Puppy
Brian Ketchem
There is a new dog in my household. In a moment of weakness in desperate need of cat food, my wife and I went into PetSmart on a Saturday. We walked out with a new puppy named Oakley. As you can probably imagine, this turned my life upside down. Now I have a dog bouncing off the walls that cannot keep her mouth free of something forbidden for more than 10 seconds. It got me thinking of those (somewhat cheesy) Hallmark cards that have lessons from animals. So here are my (very cheesy) spiritual lessons from a puppy.
Be curious and excited. Puppies are eager to experience the world fresh and new. I believe most Christians have felt this way at one point or another in their walk. Sometimes, however, we seem to lose our excitement. We need to be like the author of Psalm 119 and be excited about God's word and how it impacts our lives.
Give 100%. If you have seen any new puppy, you know they are either all gas or all brake. Everything Oakley does requires her full attention and effort. Likewise, God wants our entire heart. Matthew 22:37b "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
Have fun! If you have never had a puppy, you are missing out on something extremely fun. They are hard work and sometimes a hassle, but they know how to have fun. Christianity is sometimes hard work and a headache. We like to talk about and think about how miserable we are on behalf of Christ. Sometimes, however, we need to remember we live the best life. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Now I know that not everyone is a dog person, but hopefully, you see that this article is not about the dog. God has called us to be people who act a certain way and have a lot to celebrate. Let's always seek to find out what he wants for our lives and be enthusiastic about telling others about our faith.
