Recently I read an article in “Field and Stream” about a renowned dog and horse trainer. The man had built his entire life around training horses and hunting dogs and made quite a name for himself as one of the top-tier trainers in the nation. In the article/interview, one of his responses struck me. What he said wasn’t new information to me, but the context and response was such that it hit a chord with me. When asked why he loved his life’s work so much, why he would rather be working with dogs all day rather than people he said, “People think what I do is hard. But it’s not. It’s easy. I love what I do because dogs don’t lie.”
I know that to be true with my own dog, Arlo. He was saying with training dogs, “what you see is what you get.” Their responses to your interactions are pure and honest. They don’t feign interest when they are uninterested. He got along great with his animals because they don’t lie to each other. They may not always agree or want to do the same thing, but at least they understood each other.
I wonder sometimes if God feels that way…that it would be easier to relate with dogs…when we say we love Him and do things that make it look that way, yet our heart is not there. But I know it is us He chose to relate to, and desperately wants a real, pure, honest relationship with. Matthew 15:8-9, NIV says, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain;their teachings are merely human rules.” God, don’t let my relationship with You be in vain. Let it be one of purity and honesty, like with my good friend, Arlo.
Be a witness,
Nate