My Day as a Dog
It wasn’t a typical Saturday. We’d planned our outing several months ago. I love a good mystery and when my friend was soliciting participants from our handbell choir to join in the adventure, I am sure I was one of the first to raise my hand.
For just a few dollars each, our team of six was able to participate in a virtual murder mystery challenge staged in Baltimore with a site map and clues to gather to solve the mystery. Our group’s name and motto was the “Handbell Hounds – Sniffing Out Music and Mystery!”
Early on I mentioned to our leader that I was sure I had a dog costume in the attic. From then on it was determined that I would be donning the Corgi Dog attire my daughter was storing above the living room.
The day came and I prepped myself insuring the costume fit and I had shoes to wear that matched perfectly! For over 2 hours I walked the streets of Baltimore including having lunch at Mount Vernon Marketplace all while wearing a full body dog costume. My team members also joined in the fun with doggie ear headbands. We were quite the sight!
Odd behavior? Yes.
An attention grasper? For sure.
Potentially embarrassing? Most definitely!
However, none of these things deterred me or even caused me to hesitate when walking in my doggie decor down the street.
The next morning as I listen to the Sunday morning message on “Sharing Jesus”, I began to wondered why the “Hound Dog” behavior was so easy for me yet speaking out about my life changing Savior, Jesus Christ, made me uncomfortable? Even now, as I type this blog, just the thought of it makes my palms sweat…
As I thought about it, I was jolted as I recalled how Luke laid this out. He tells us Jesus perspective on this very thing in Luke 9:26. Here he shares the words of Jesus, “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Ouch. Now, more than my palms are sweating.
I also remembered that Jesus said this as well in Matthew 10:32-33, “So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
Imagine the scene when finally getting to see Jesus and He walks with me as we approach the throne of the Father. How thrilling that will be, words can not describe the event. Maybe the angels will be singing or fires burning with trumpets playing as if there’s about to be a royal announcement. Just then, with a quick glance, I noticed that something is not right. Not right at all.
There is no smile or look of excitement on Jesus’ face. Instead His forehead is furled and eyes are filled with sadness. Looking closer, I see there is a glistening of a tear in the corner of His eye. It takes a second as the realization reveals itself to me, Jesus is more than sad, He is ashamed. Ashamed of…me…
I need to change my mindset.
How’s your mindset?
I am certain it will not be easy. It will take time, prayer, practice and a strong anti-perspirant! I am also certain that sharing Jesus will be well worth the effort. It will not only change my life, it will change the lives of those with whom I share Jesus. And ultimately change the scene with Jesus from embarrassment to acknowledgement.
That’s the scene I want to be part of, far better then a day as a dog!
JW