What Type Of Dog Are You For God?

In Isaiah 1:3, the Bible states that even the ox knows it's owner. I began to wonder, "Do I know my owner?" When I began to live my life to please God, I acknowledged that He is the owner of my future. But, am I willing to listen to God?

I started comparing how I love my dogs with how God loves me. I know more than my dogs and try to keep them safe. Just as God knows more than me, and tries to keep me safe. I train my dogs for different things depending on their innate skills and gifts. God trains each of us differently depending on our skills and gifts.

I started to wonder what type of dog I am towards God. I owned a Labrador Retriever in the past. She was easy to train. She loved to make me happy. Emma loved everyone and everything. She did not have a mean bone in her body.

Now I have an American Staffordshire Terrier. She is very different than Emma was. She challenges my orders. She prefers tug-of-war to fetch. Carly is an alpha dog. She wants to take the lead and be the boss. I know what I do is done to keep her safe. She does not know this. With Carly it is a constant contest to see whose persistence wins.

I loved Emma, and I love Carly, dearly. Emma was easy, she came when I called. She stayed when I commanded it. She would sit, lay down and play fetch. Emma never had a problem giving me the ball. Carly wants to make everything into tug-of-war. Actually it's more like a tug of wills. Carly is a loving and good dog, she is just different than Emma.

Am I an Emma? Am I ready and eager to do what God says? Am I willing to follow God's path for my life? Can I love God as a dog loves its owner? Will I love God and trust in him no matter where my path takes me? This is probably one of the hardest tasks in life. No more second guessing, no more wondering, just always doing what He shows me. I want to say yes, I do all this. The truth is I do not always do these things.

Does that mean I am a Carly? Do I second guess God? Do I want to please Him, but also want to do things my way? Do I tell myself that if I went my own way, life would get better? Did I forget to ask for guidance at the forks in my road of life? I would like to say no, but I do and I did.

Am I an Emma or a Carly to God. Do I try to constantly please Him? Or is it a challenge to follow His way? I think I am a mix of the two. Sometimes it seems all I want to do is please God. Other times, I challenge Him. I want to go my own way.

I'm here to tell you, God's way is better. It may be scary and seem illogical, but it is still better than I can do for myself. God takes better care of me than I can ever take care of my dogs. God gives me the leeway to do what I want. And, when I go my own way, God gently guides me back.

Have you ever had a dog that you just could not train? For whatever reason, you have had your fill of this dog. Now you will bring it to the pound, or maybe drop it at a farm.

God never feels this way about you. God loves you when you mess up the first time. God still loves you when you mess up the 100th time. God's love for you is forever.

God loves you no matter what type of dog you are. God loves you if you listen and learn easily. God loves you if you are stubborn. God loves you if you think your way is best. And, God will be with you no matter where you go.