A Lesson From My Dog

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23(ESV)

Master? What Master?

Have you ever had a dog that just wouldn’t listen to you?  I have!  I had tried everything to get my little guy’s attention and get him to learn new things, but he was just really stubborn. It wasn’t until I got a book on how to train dog who seemed impossible to train, that I began to understand more about this little guy. Oddly enough I also learn something very import about my relationship with my GOD in Heaven.  I know, it seems strange to get a lesson about GOD and relationship from a dog training book, but there in print was a light bulb moment when GOD opened my eyes to my stubborn and unwilling heart.

Now, in this book it stated that my dog wasn’t too stupid to learn anything; he just wasn’t willing to listen to me. His interest was in everything but me. His inward desires were stronger than his willingness to pay any attention to me.  Does this sound familiar?  But, according to this book, I could teach him to really want to interact with me and become willing do what I ask him to without force.  Yep, it was possible; all he had to do is learn to become biddable.

Biddable, what’s that? Well, the definition of biddable is: willing to do what is asked; obedient. So, a dog that wants to do what the master asked is biddable (willingly willing). A dog that resists the master’s commands, well, I call them Self-Dogs.

I am and there is no other

Now, Self-Dogs are in the driver’s seat of their own life. Self-Dogs are not too willing or concerned about what their master wants them to do.  Self-Dogs yield to no one and their pleasures are wrapped up in the scents of the world around them. The way self-dogs see it, they are number one, not accountable to any other and certainly aren’t willing to do anything unless they think there is something in it for them.  You might be able to force some compliance from the self-dog, but he’s never going to willingly surrender his will to his master. His desires aren’t master focused but are self-serving until he willingly becomes biddable.

Now, when a dog learns to be biddable, he has learned that it is very rewarding to “want” to please and listen to his master.  Light bulb…Wait, as I was reading this, the LORD Master made this more personal and brought to mind the fact that I act like these stubborn untrainable dogs.  When I am not denying myself and off doing whatever I want, not paying any attention to my Master’s voice, wishes or commands, I am a Self-Dog. I am stubborn, impossible and prideful.  You get the picture.  Now, lets go back to the dog training for a moment.

How does my little guy become more biddable?  Well, through association and purposeful interaction with me, his master, the little guy learns to want to pay attention to me as we develop a relationship with each other. Trust is built and soon the rewards of being with me are tons better than all the other things the world offers him.

I can apply this same reasoning to myself also. As I build a continuous relationship with my GOD, He attunes my hearing to His call. Now that I trust Him, I want to come to Him because I want to please Him more than I want to please myself.  I have become biddable or willingly willing to surrender my will and come into my Master’s presence and be obedient to His wishes and commands.

But, If I keep my Self-Dog attitude, I am in direct conflict to the command in Luke 9:23 of denying myself, which is my cross, and following Jesus.  I must, daily, give up my Self-Dog will and become willingly willing to be obedient to GOD and His will for me.  As I do this, I learn that nothing can compare to my GOD. He alone satisfies me completely to the core of my inner being.  As I humble myself and surrender my will to Him, I become available for the Master’s use.

Oh how wonderful He is to do this for me if I seek Him and ask Him. Nothing is too hard for Him! I have to come willingly willing and cry out to Him in faith.  As I surrender my will in obedience to His Will, He can direct my life as He sees fit.

Being shaped into His vessel - empty and ready for His use.

Being biddable is a wondrous state to be in, because I am in the Potter’s hand; being molded and formed by the mighty and awesome GOD and Creator of the universe, into the very vessel He desires me to be.

What Love I have from Him, His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit.  I don’t want to waste the life GOD has given me by being a stubborn Self-Dog chasing things that won’t ever satisfy me.  I want to please my Master and follow Him. I want to be with Him more and more because I know that He is the only One that satisfies me completely. I find rest and peace in Him only.

Oh, LORD GOD, I humbly bow before You now and confess that I have been a pretty good Self-Dog but I want to give that up.  LORD GOD I surrender my will (self-dog) to You.  I turn my life over to You.   LORD GOD as the biddable dog learns that it is very rewarding to be with their master,  LORD GOD, may I learn to listen to your voice. I am learning to seek You first, to want to be with You more and more. I am choosing to leave the world and all its “scents” behind.

LORD GOD, search me and cleanse my heart so that I may live the life You have for me in Your peace and Your rest.

LORD GOD, I  love You.  I humbly turn my will over to You, for Your pleasure.

I bring these requests before You, Abba Father, in my LORD Master’s name, Jesus Christ. 

Amen