This morning, I took my dog Lindy to the church office with me.  She’s a 60-lb. Rhodesian Ridgeback mix with a lot of energy and curiosity.  Would you believe that I learned something from her today?

Taking Lindy to church helped even out the dog population at home.  My wife works from home, so it’s helpful for me to take one of the dogs away every so often.  They have a tendency to whine continually when they see me leave home. :)

Well, Lindy was pretty excited to explore the new territory at church.  In fact, I turned my back for a second, and she sprinted down into the basement.  Luckily, there’s nothing for her to get into down there – at least, I don’t think there is!

What struck me about Lindy’s day at church was the way she sniffed in every nook and cranny with intensity and pure, childlike joy.  Every time we went into another room, she searched and ran around until she was at home in her new surroundings.  And while I worked, Lindy acted like she wanted to be wherever I was, to see whatever I was doing, and to participate in my everyday activities.  Finally, she peacefully plopped down on her pillow while I typed away at this week’s sermon.

And then the thought struck me:  Why don’t we followers of Christ treat the Lord the same way?  What would our life be like if we strove to be where the Lord is, to do whatever Christ is doing, and to participate in God’s daily activities?  I think it would be pretty amazing if we were to share Lindy’s energy and excitement to be in God’s house.

This gives me new insight to this verse from the book of Psalms:

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)

Can you imagine what that might be like?  As you go about your daily activities this week, ask the Lord to give you a dog’s dose of excitement to follow him and to be in his presence.  And watch for how he answers that prayer!

–Pastor David