McQueen has proven to be a comfort to the sick and a joy to our church. As I continue to discipline McQueen's life with ongoing training he will continue to be a wonderful guide. But, if his discipline slips his inward struggle between "goofy dog" and "guide dog" becomes more intense.
There is an inward struggle. I've heard of some guide dogs getting a little sensitive when their master referred to them as a "dog." But, deep down under all that fur and training lies the heart of a dog. I'm reminded of McQueen's dog-ness almost every time I preach. McQueen gets his best naps during my preaching (and I've learned not to take it personally). It is during his naps that he dreams of doing things he has been trained not to do. For instance, McQueen has barked in the middle of his church nap. I have had to wake him up in a service because he was barking in his sleep. As soon as he came to, he straightened up. Other times McQueen has been "chasing rabbits" during my preaching. His paws have twitched in a running-like motion indicating that he was hot on the trail. These "goofy dog" behaviors only come out when my "guide dog" is asleep.
The same can be said for a Christian. To be a Christian means you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. A Christian has a new life: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). A Christian has spiritual life: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9). Literally, a Christian is one who is "Christ-like".
But if you are "sleeping" through life and not following the disciplines of Christian living you are in danger of living like the "goofy dog" instead of the "guide dog." There is an inward struggle between the old life and the new. And, if you are not intentional about living for Christ, the old nature reveals itself much more than it should.
Whenever McQueen performs well it does not go unnoticed...by anyone. But when he barks in church in the middle of his sleep, his goofiness does not go unnoticed either.
Why not live for Christ on purpose. Be intentional about Bible reading, prayer, church attendance. Then one day you will hear those words of praise from the Father in heaven, "Well done!"
There is an inward struggle. I've heard of some guide dogs getting a little sensitive when their master referred to them as a "dog." But, deep down under all that fur and training lies the heart of a dog. I'm reminded of McQueen's dog-ness almost every time I preach. McQueen gets his best naps during my preaching (and I've learned not to take it personally). It is during his naps that he dreams of doing things he has been trained not to do. For instance, McQueen has barked in the middle of his church nap. I have had to wake him up in a service because he was barking in his sleep. As soon as he came to, he straightened up. Other times McQueen has been "chasing rabbits" during my preaching. His paws have twitched in a running-like motion indicating that he was hot on the trail. These "goofy dog" behaviors only come out when my "guide dog" is asleep.
The same can be said for a Christian. To be a Christian means you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. A Christian has a new life: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). A Christian has spiritual life: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9). Literally, a Christian is one who is "Christ-like".
But if you are "sleeping" through life and not following the disciplines of Christian living you are in danger of living like the "goofy dog" instead of the "guide dog." There is an inward struggle between the old life and the new. And, if you are not intentional about living for Christ, the old nature reveals itself much more than it should.
Whenever McQueen performs well it does not go unnoticed...by anyone. But when he barks in church in the middle of his sleep, his goofiness does not go unnoticed either.
Why not live for Christ on purpose. Be intentional about Bible reading, prayer, church attendance. Then one day you will hear those words of praise from the Father in heaven, "Well done!"
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