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THE DOG THAT WON'T RUN AWAY
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The Real Justin Chandler has a dog that won't run away.
Yesterday, during our high school service, I had this thought that Rachel went on to say "oh that's good." This is a shameless plug. Take a listen:
Recently, Rachel and I recently adopted a dog. She like the name Theo and I've always been a fan of the most excellent Theophilus. Seeing as the two go hand-in-hand. Here you have it:
Since owning Theo, he's put on 20ish pounds and went from being emaciated (not even joking) to a healthy dog. The interesting thing about Theo is in regards to his desire "to run", he is the exact opposite of other other lab, Rox.
I've owned Rox for two years. She's had everything that a dog could have. She's been given everything that a dog would need. When it comes to the dog life, there are few that are better than hers.
The most interesting thing that happens when we leave the door open. Rox likes to "get out" and to go run. She can hear us call for her. She can see she is supposed to go inside, but she wants to get out and "see the world." There is often a heavy sigh when Rox breaks lose because I know...it's going to be a while before we get her back. Theo is the exact opposite.
He has no desire to run. He has no thoughts about leaving. We could leave the door open for days and I'm confident that when we returned, he would be right where we left him. The most interesting thing happened to me yesterday as I thought of this. Though seemingly unconnected, I thought of God.
When I came to Christ, I was an otherwise unaware teenager. Though I had an adequate Christian upbringing, it didn't stick. I had plenty of what "the world" had to offer and all its exploits. And then I met Christ. That was it for me. I was done. Having met the world and met Christ, I had no desire for the former and am trying solely to desire the latter. When the choice comes for me "to run", it doesn't hold any power. I've seen what's there. And it's not that excited. I was often left hungry. I was often alone. God took "the lonely and placed [him] in a family." One greater than mine here on earth.
Yet as I deal with teenagers multiple times a week, the setting I find myself has a lot of students who have grown up in church their entire life. They've had everything that a follower of Christ could have. They've been given everything that a follower would need. When it comes to the Christian life, there are few that are better than theirs. Yet for some reason, their desire is akin to Rox's and they wanna run. And just like Rox, they can hear us call for them. They can see they should to "be inside", but they want to get out and "see the world." There is often a heavy sigh when Christian teenage breaks lose because I know...it's going to be a while before we get them back. For all the teenagers like Theo, inspiration isn't need to stay close to Christ. They've had enough nights out on the streets that no convincing would do. It's good to be a part of a family.
If you've been following Christ for a while, you probably have a bit of the prodigal son in you (Luke 15:11-32). We've had enough of "the father's house" and we would like to take what's ours and go "see the world." In spite of everything we have had, everything has proved to not be quite enough.
If you're a long-standing Christian parent, you might see the makings of a prodigal son at home. In spite of everything you have provided, there is this innate to go out for a run and you may feel in your heart that if it happens, it's going to be a while before you get them back.
It seems to me that this would be just like "schemes of the enemy" (cf. Ephesians 6:11) to convince us there is something greater that God is holding out on us. This has been the very same words used from the very beginning, yet again and again they are proven to be false. And just like a dog who is quick to run, there is one of three options available:
Hebrews 10:22-25 (ESV)
22 from an evil conscience and our bodies let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
----------------
Now playing: Underoath - Too Bright to See Too Loud to Hear
Yesterday, during our high school service, I had this thought that Rachel went on to say "oh that's good." This is a shameless plug. Take a listen:
Recently, Rachel and I recently adopted a dog. She like the name Theo and I've always been a fan of the most excellent Theophilus. Seeing as the two go hand-in-hand. Here you have it:
Since owning Theo, he's put on 20ish pounds and went from being emaciated (not even joking) to a healthy dog. The interesting thing about Theo is in regards to his desire "to run", he is the exact opposite of other other lab, Rox.I've owned Rox for two years. She's had everything that a dog could have. She's been given everything that a dog would need. When it comes to the dog life, there are few that are better than hers.
The most interesting thing that happens when we leave the door open. Rox likes to "get out" and to go run. She can hear us call for her. She can see she is supposed to go inside, but she wants to get out and "see the world." There is often a heavy sigh when Rox breaks lose because I know...it's going to be a while before we get her back. Theo is the exact opposite.
He has no desire to run. He has no thoughts about leaving. We could leave the door open for days and I'm confident that when we returned, he would be right where we left him. The most interesting thing happened to me yesterday as I thought of this. Though seemingly unconnected, I thought of God.
When I came to Christ, I was an otherwise unaware teenager. Though I had an adequate Christian upbringing, it didn't stick. I had plenty of what "the world" had to offer and all its exploits. And then I met Christ. That was it for me. I was done. Having met the world and met Christ, I had no desire for the former and am trying solely to desire the latter. When the choice comes for me "to run", it doesn't hold any power. I've seen what's there. And it's not that excited. I was often left hungry. I was often alone. God took "the lonely and placed [him] in a family." One greater than mine here on earth.
Yet as I deal with teenagers multiple times a week, the setting I find myself has a lot of students who have grown up in church their entire life. They've had everything that a follower of Christ could have. They've been given everything that a follower would need. When it comes to the Christian life, there are few that are better than theirs. Yet for some reason, their desire is akin to Rox's and they wanna run. And just like Rox, they can hear us call for them. They can see they should to "be inside", but they want to get out and "see the world." There is often a heavy sigh when Christian teenage breaks lose because I know...it's going to be a while before we get them back. For all the teenagers like Theo, inspiration isn't need to stay close to Christ. They've had enough nights out on the streets that no convincing would do. It's good to be a part of a family.
If you've been following Christ for a while, you probably have a bit of the prodigal son in you (Luke 15:11-32). We've had enough of "the father's house" and we would like to take what's ours and go "see the world." In spite of everything we have had, everything has proved to not be quite enough.
If you're a long-standing Christian parent, you might see the makings of a prodigal son at home. In spite of everything you have provided, there is this innate to go out for a run and you may feel in your heart that if it happens, it's going to be a while before you get them back.
It seems to me that this would be just like "schemes of the enemy" (cf. Ephesians 6:11) to convince us there is something greater that God is holding out on us. This has been the very same words used from the very beginning, yet again and again they are proven to be false. And just like a dog who is quick to run, there is one of three options available:
- They return home
- They are taken to "another house"
- Something far more tragic
Hebrews 10:22-25 (ESV)
22 from an evil conscience and our bodies let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
----------------
Now playing: Underoath - Too Bright to See Too Loud to Hear
