Lessons From a Sheep Dog

I can count on one hand the books, outside of the Bible, that have dramatically changed my view of my relationship with God. That is probably an indictment on my lack of reading as much as anything but, nonetheless, these books have helped shaped my practical theology. Here they are:

1.                  Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby

2.                  The Mind of Christ by T.W. Hunt

3.                  Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey

4.                  Where Is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey

I would go on to say that anything by Philip Yancey would be near the top of my list. I love his transparency in writing. But just as impactful on my life is a book written by another Philip.

The fifth book that has helped shaped me is written by Phillip Keller who was a prolific devotional writer back in the 1970’s and 80’s. The one book of his that I refer to is Lessons from a Sheepdog.

For years I understood Jesus being the Good Shepherd and we being his sheep. I assumed I was to enjoy grazing and enjoying life while keeping one ear attuned to the calls of the shepherd. But through this book, I came to realize that I am much more to God than a person that spent his day frolicking in his pasture without a care in the world unless I decided to wander off for ‘greener pastures’ and ended up in some thicket. Whenever that would happen, I would quickly call for help and await a quick rescue. Such was the life of a Christian, I thought.

But through Keller’s book I came to discover that I am called to be an under-shepherd for God; a co-worker in his pasture in caring for his sheep. And just like the beautiful symbiotic relationship between a sheepdog and his master shepherd, it should be my desire to serve Him and my acts of devotion for him.  It is this relationship between a creature that has had its spirit freed to be all he had been created to be and thus blesses the spirit of the other - our Creator, Master and, now, our Friend.

Here are seven lessons we can learn from dogs:

Lesson #1 - We were created for a purpose

There are different species of dogs that have been bred to carry out specific duties - retrievers, trackers, terriers, sheep dogs, etc. All of them are bred to assist their master in carrying out important tasks.

Likewise we have been created by God for a purpose.  Ephesians 2:10 says,

 

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do

Many of us have used some type of discovery tool that takes into account the many facets God has designed into us. Whether you used SHAPE or SERVE or some other acrostic, we can see how God are created for a purpose through:

Spiritual gifts  Heart passions  Abilities & skills  Personality type  Experiences in life

or

Spiritual gifts  Enthusiastic sources Relational style  Vocational Skills  Experiences in life

All of these things have been mixed into the core our being in order to serve God in a special way. Just like a terrier is designed to dive into holes in the ground or how a Labrador is best equipped to retrieve ducks in the water, each of us have been created in a unique way to serve God.

Lesson #2 - We experience the abundant life when we serve God

I feel we can experience our greatest pleasure in life when we carry out our master’s wishes in His kingdom’s work. Then we will enjoy the blessings of His words of love and approval as we carry these tasks out in His name.

Sadly, there are many people who don’t experience this abundant life because, like a talented dog that is not trained, we are only out to please ourselves and often become unhappy or burdensome to others around us. We have all seen beautiful specimens of dogs that are a nuisance to be around because they have had no training. The purpose for which they were bred to do is not being utilized and they won’t experience that fulfillment until they receive the proper training.

We have watched dog agility contests and can see a dog’s delight in his craft as carries out his commands successfully. That is the delight we can experience and the joy we can bring to God when we are willing to carry out His commands.

Lesson #3 - We receive our instructions from God’s Word and through the Spirit in prayer

Work dogs are taught to respond to hand signals, whistles, and verbal commands in order to carry out their important tasks. We, as Christians, must remain attuned to God’s voice and his instructions that He gives through the Bible and what we receive from the Spirit through times of prayer and meditation. If we ignore those times of instructions, we will miss out on those times of delight in service and worship to our Master.

Lesson #4 – God desires an intimate relationship with us

The relationship between a working dog is a multi-faceted one.  It is part owner/servant; part equal working partner; and part close friend.  After all, we say that ‘dogs are a man’s best friend.’

In our relationship with God we have elements of a master/slave relationship. Paul often addressed himself as a servant of Jesus in his letters.  But Jesus, in his relationship with his disciples, added a new dimension to his relationship with them when he said to his disciples,

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:14-17)

Jesus now considers us “friend” and a partner in serving God since we know what He wants us to do.

Lesson #5 - Times of silence can test our resolve

One of the hardest commands a dog has difficulty in obeying is the ‘stay’ command. He is told to stay put to watch the herd or in a place of safety while his master goes out of sight, sometimes for an extended amount of time.

Those times when we don’t hear our Master’s voice or see His hand at work, we get very antsy in carrying out the “stay” command. There are times in our life when we don’t understand what’s going on, why nothing’s happening, or why we don’t see God at work and hear his voice. We want to be doing something; we want to be in the spotlight, we want to be where ‘it’s happening’. 

But we need to remember that to God, a “stay” command that is obeyed is as important as a “go” command that is given. The important thing is the obedience of the command. There will be times when we won’t understand why things are happening or not happening and we are tempted to ‘break faith’ with God.  It is important that we stay faithful to the task he gives, regardless of the seemingly insignificance it may seem to us. If we can stay faithful, then we will hear his voice say,

'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'  - Matthew 25:21

Lesson #6 - God always initiates reconciliation after times of disobedience

Whenever a working dog ‘breaks faith’ and doesn’t carry out a command, it results in some type of discipline being enforced.

A dog knows when he has done wrong because he will bow his head and slink to the floor. He senses he has disappointed his master and is expecting some discipline and a sense of withdrawal from his master.

Often the severest form of discipline is the discipline of silence and distance. There are times in our lives when our sin separates us from God. Like Adam and Eve in the garden we try to hide in our sense of shame. And God must separate himself from us because of His holiness.

However, there is always the time when God sees our remorse and hears our confession of sin and He always initiates the reconciliation process.

It is so endearing when after a period of discipline when a dog will slowly approach his master and lay nearby waiting for that sign that the discipline is concluded.  When the master demonstrates forgiveness is given by the call of his voice and the soft stroking of his hand, the dog can no longer restrain his love and demonstrates the room clearing wag of his the tail.

It is a sweet moment of reconciliation and renewed love when the master offers his forgiveness.

Lesson #7 - God will meet every need of ours for now and for eternity

Every master of a dog has some expectations for his dog. But, in kind, every dog depends on the expectation that his master will meet his every need - he feeds him, houses him, exercises him, trains him for service, meets every medical need that arises, shows affection toward him, and has committed to continue to care for him throughout his life.

 God has done the same for us:

·                     He has promised to never leave or forsake us

·                     He has promised to meet our physical needs

·                     He has promised to help us overcome temptations

·                     He has promised to guide us and protect us

·                     He has promised to love us eternally

·                     And, through Jesus, he has promised an eternal home in his presence.

  

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