Pit Bull
His name is Diesel. He is a red pit bull that I met at an outdoor men's Bible Study over a month ago. While most dogs fetch sticks, frisbees, or toys, I had heard a rumor that Diesel entertains himself by fetching small logs and cinder blocks. As I began to sit my chair and Bible down by the camp fire, I imagined a cow-sized beast emerging from the woods with an uprooted oak tree or a wild boar between his teeth. Suddenly, the sounds of cracking limbs and heavy panting came from the woods and I turned to see him prancing towards the fire with a log between his teeth. Then I watched him drop it by the fire as if to say "I have arrived." It was quite an impressive sight. He picked up half of a cinder block and brought it to my side and began to slap my leg repeatedly with his wiffle ball bat-sized tail. I wasn't sure if his desire was for me to throw the block, if his desire was for me to pet him, or if his desire was simply to eat me. If he was looking for a response, I did not disappoint him... for the response I gave Diesel was one of respect.
As I began to eat my burger, his eyes were locked directly on me and drool was streamed from his mouth as if it were a waterfall. I knew that he smelled meat and I knew that he knew that I knew that he smelled meat! A loud voice from across the fire yelled "hold it out in front of you and he will eat it right out of your hands." For a moment, I wondered which mental institution the man had escaped from, but as I looked into the eyes of this massive, drooling beast, I saw what looked like friendship... not a declaration of war. I realized that I was about to make a choice that was going to affect the rest of my life. "One hand vs. Two." I tore off a piece of meat and he arose swiftly to stand in front of me... and with the most gentle motion... grabbed it out of my hands. He wanted more. I tore off another piece and fed him. It literally felt as if Diesel was attempting to grab the meat with his tongue and the roof of his mouth so that I was sure to know that he meant me no harm. And when I was through feeding him... he returned to the ground... and the wiffle ball bat continued to beat against my leg.
It has been over a month now... and I have truly fallen in love with Diesel. I look forward to Sunday Night Bible studies when I get to watch Diesel display his mighty strength. I look forward to times when he loves, when he allows me to love, and when he sits at my feet begging me to trust Him. It reminds me of my relationship with God. Like most of you, I don't reflect on this relationship nearly as often as I should. And like most of you, when I do think about it, I am usually reminded of those intimate times when God comes near. When He loves and when He allows me to love. When a look into my eyes reflects the declaration of friendship... not of war. These are special times. But sometimes we need to be reminded of the cinder blocks and the logs. Sometimes we need to be reminded that this gentle loving God who cares for us is strong and mighty and valiant and HOLY... and quite simply GOD.
May we take the time to think on God. May we focus on His Grace but may we NOT forget to focus on His Mercy. May we love Him. May we allow Him to love us. May we see His strength and may that vision cause us to worship Him, submit to Him and respect Him. May we be a little afraid, a little less quick to resist. May we trust. May we trust as if our life is depending on it. Because quite frankly... it is.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the amazing things he has done on the earth.
He stops wars everywhere on the earth.
He breaks all bows and spears
and burns up the chariots with fire.
God says, "Be still and know that I am God.
I will be praised in all the nations;
I will be praised throughout the earth."
The Lord All-Powerful is with us;
the God of Jacob is our defender.
- Psalm 46:8-11