This is our five-month-old basset hound, Belle. She enjoys sleeping, going upstairs where she isn’t allowed, and most of all, sniffing. Her scent-hound nose constantly twitches, enticing her from one aroma to the next. Belle can track hidden toys and food around the house. Microwave popcorn nearly drives her out of her mind.
Belle obeys our commands perfectly. When she feels like it. Which isn’t very often. “Come, Belle,” we say. She looks back at us, thinks it over, sniffs the air, and settles down for a much-needed nap.
Belle’s nose often prompts her insubordination. Who wants to come or sit or stay when you can smell pizza baking in the oven? Why go for walks on the sidewalk when there are rabbits to sniff out in the grass? Belle isn’t exactly disobedient, just easily distracted.
She reminds me of that old Rich Mullins song…“They said, ‘Follow your nose,’ but the direction changed every time I went and turned my head.”
I see myself in Belle the basset hound. I’m too easily distracted by my own comfort and selfish whims. Too eager to ignore difficult instructions from my Master. I know how to obey, but I’d rather just “sniff out” something more appealing.
“Love my enemies? That’s hard. How about if I just write something that sounds loving, instead of actually loving them?”
“Store up treasures in heaven, and not on earth? But then I might have to go without…stuff. And besides, it’s scary trusting that You’ll provide.”
And yet, in spite of the difficulty, the call to obey remains the same. I must hear Christ’s words and put them into practice. No more following my nose. I want to follow Jesus.
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Yes it is scary, but it get easier after a while!