A Dog’s Life

I caught my dog, Sam, the other morning peering out the window. The window sill is just the perfect height, that it looks as if his nose is resting on the sill so he can gaze with even less effort than one might expect. The ideal “dog life.”
We as people often envy the dog and his lazy life. Someone feeds him, buys him toys and treats, cleans up his poop, scratches him when he itches, tells him he’s a “good boy,” and even takes him on exploratory adventures! The dog’s only responsibilities: sound off when a delivery has been made, scare off potential intruders (with the same sound mentioned before), welcome you with enthusiasm when you arrive home- with that familiar sound, express delight when you bestow attention on him … Okay, the dog has a responsibility to bark, at anything and everything!  It’s a desirable lifestyle: everything provided and given, one just has to make noise. It’s doable.
As I watched my dog, I wondered What he was thinking. Was he longing to go outside? Was he envious of the little dog out on his morning exploratory adventure? Then it hit me: a dogs’ life isn’t that grand. My dog is totally at my whim and mercy! That adorable furry friend doesn’t get anything, or get to do anything. unless I decide. Hmm… perhaps its no wonder he lies around and sleeps all the time.
I wonder how often I respond to life like my dog Sam. I wait for something to take place instead of making life happen. I can remember moving to a new state and praying that God would send me a friend. It’s not a bad prayer, it’s just that I also needed to be out and about meeting people and acquiring acquaintances. There have been moments when I have wished I had a day of “fun.” You know, like what you read in books and see on TV. You and your girlfriend(s), looking all cute, thin and stylish, spend a day together.  Perhaps you shop, peruse a museum, go to a coffee shop and just chat, or drive around in a convertible while your hair still looks good even though windblown. The question that hangs in the air is did I call anyone or did I just stare longingly at all the pretty girls in convertibles driving by?
In case you haven’t picked it up: I am not a dog. Neither are you.
I currently am reading book entitled “A Loving Life in a World of Broken Relationships,” by Paul Miller. The book is an examination of the Biblical story of Ruth. Miller’s intent is to challenge us to ‘hesed’ love. Miller helps to define this Hebrew word:  “Sometimes hesed is translated ‘steadfast love.’  It combines commitment with sacrifice. Hesed is one-way love. Love without an exit strategy. When you love with hesed love, you bind yourself to the object of your love, no matter what the response is.” Miller uses Ruth as a prime example of this Godly love. In one chapter, Miller talks about community. He says:

The biggest problem people have in searching for the perfect community is just that. You don’t find community; you create it through love. Look how this transforms the way you enter a room of strangers. Our instinctive thought is, “Who do I know? Who am I comfortable with?” There’s nothing wrong with those questions, but the Jesus questions that create communities are, “Who can I love? Who is left out?” Instinctively, we hunt for a church or community that makes us feel good. It is good to be in a place where you are welcome, but making that quest central is idolatry. And like all idolatry, it ultimately disappoints. But if we pursue hesed love, then, wherever we go, we create community.

Let me repeat what I mentioned earlier: I am not a dog. Neither are you. There is no need for me to sit at the window and watch life go by. I have been given a task, enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to live an abundant life. God has purposed me to be His hands and feet, to interact with His children in His world. I don’t need to be guided on a leash for Christ has set me free. I am called to live out love and create community for myself and for others. I am challenged to step beyond my walls and risk loving so that I may experience true community and thereby also abundant life.
I am not a dog, but if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time I headed outside my walls for an exploratory adventure. Woof!