Have you ever been to a Dog Show? As an observer you quickly learn that the dog and its master have spent a lot of time together. The master walks with deliberate steps and the dog responds on cue. The dog is oblivious to the watching crowds and even to the adjudicators. In fact, they are more of a distraction to the dog than anything else. The dog is focused on walking before its master, obeying its master and pleasing its master. The master has carefully worked with the dog to ensure it is a class-act for the breed it represents. Sit and stay, down and stay, heel and follow and the fetch and retrieve commands have been practiced faithfully until they can be flawlessly performed. The relationship between the dog and its master is tight.

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The crowds were huge. At one point Jesus requested to have a boat on standby to avoid being physically crushed by the sheer force of thousands swarming and jamming together. There was no relief and no time to have a bite to eat. His family in Nazareth became alarmed and traveled 25 miles to Capernaum to put an end to all of this. “We just have to intervene. He’s losing it. He’s beside himself. His behaviour is becoming more irrational all the time. We’ll have to go and physically restrain Him and take Him back home for a complete rest so His mind can be cleared. We must go there immediately.”

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I once had to introduce a distinguished speaker whose curriculum vitae was many pages long. He had many accomplishments and he seemed to enjoy people giving him long introductions. He had received the nation’s top honors; he belonged to many prestigious societies; he was an honorary physician to the Queen, a United Nations’ celebrity, a humanitarian, a Hall of Famer and a globe-trotting speaker. Throughout his lifetime he “had made quite a name for himself.” On more than one occasion I sensed he deeply enjoyed the attention he received.

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“Do you think the King will be able to make it today? Age definitely takes its toll. It must be hard on him to be either in bed or in a chair. He won’t last much longer.”

In fact, hundreds of dignitaries had gathered to hear the last words of King David. Tribal leaders, army commanders, generals and captains, administrators of royal assets, palace officials, decorated warriors and other celebrated guests assembled for what everyone probably knew would be the last words of the King. You could hear a pin drop as all eyes were focused on the frail King propped up on his royal chair.

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Real bad. But people are more concerned about the world’s melting ice, disappearing glaciers, evaporating lakes and vanishing species. Geophysicists, biologists, and politicians are worried about the physical condition of our planet.

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“Well, I don’t see what’s wrong with it. It’s a very common business practice all around us. Standard procedure – more or less!”

It’s true we may not see any harm in something – but does that mean it’s right? Much of the wrong that goes on in society is committed by people who think it’s okay to do.

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Do you think there’s a brother up in Heaven giving the Apostle Paul a real chewing out over the obvious omission of his name in one of Paul’s letters? Do you think his enjoyment of Christ and Heaven is being hampered because his work but not his name is mentioned in 2Corinthians? Do you think he’s wagging his finger in Paul’s face just now saying:

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Absolutely not! They’re in no condition. They took their own way and they can pay the price. It’s called sowing and reaping! They can’t have it both ways. We’re not bending things around here to see them restored. We know how to dig in our heels! We’re sticking to our guns! Our decision remains firm.”

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Naturally speaking we gravitate towards doing the wrong thing – not the right thing.  The inner pull to do the wrong thing is common to all homosapiens. If there were no consequences; if we’d never be caught and if our conscience would never nag us and if guilt feelings would never overtake us – there’s no limit to what ‘wrong things’ we might do. Sin has damaged us at our very core. The dark energy inside me is called ‘the flesh’. (Galatians 5:16-26) Yes – that negative energy is resident in every believer – not just non-believers.

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This devotional is a tad bit different. It’s going to be really personal. It’s check-up time. It’s time to ask yourself a direct question: when have you last craved your Bible? You have a Bible in your bedroom or do you? Some who used to always take their Bible to their room now leave it in the car until the next time it is publicly needed. But assuming you do have one in your bedroom or on your desk, when have you last held it in your hands with anticipation and excitement? Seriously!

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