Luke 7:3-4

Just as Bosco got close to me our Son spoke and he sat down and looked up at me. These are well trained animals who are ready in an instant to do what they are told. They will go straight into harm’s way, and even death without a moment’s hesitation. That day I trusted our Son’s love, and his dog’s obedience. Isn’t that the way it should be in the Christian faith? We trust God’s Love, and do not fear whatever he sends our way.

I wish my service to God was more like these courageous animals. What would the church look like if the servants of Christ were always ready in an instant for whatever the Lord commanded? “Dear Lord, forgive me for the times that I hesitated too long; and the things that I failed to do even though you told me to.”

A military leader asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus started to go home with him when he spoke: “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Perhaps we need to remember that as Christians we are under the authority of Christ, and obedience is expected. The work of the cross does not allow us flowery beds of ease; we are sent where the Love of Christ is needed at that moment. K9s are well trained; and maybe we church folks need more discipline in what it means to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.

“Then in fellowship sweet,
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”