Following

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1

I love to play with our dogs in the empty field behind our house. Since my husband and I don't have any children, our pups are our babies. We spoil them and treat them better than some people treat their children. Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves that they are dogs.

Last week as my brood was trekking through the pasture, the dogs continually got burrs stuck in their feet. I kept calling them back to the sandy, burr-free path, but they unfailingly followed their canine noses to burr patches.

After I'd freed their feet from the sticky nuisances one too many times, I yelled at them, Why won't you just follow me?

At once, the Lord hid me square in the face with my own words. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1, And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

I wanted my dogs to imitate me. I knew the best path. I was ready to lead the way on a pain-free trail, but they couldn't deny their innate sense of smell to follow me. Their flesh was too strong.

I considered how many times I'd acted like my dogs when the Lord was trying to lead me in His way. I failed to deny my sinful self, so that I could walk in the pain-free path of the Savior. Not that it would be without trouble, but it WOULD BE with the One who knew the way.  I'm sure that God was feeling the same frustration that I felt, Why won't you just follow me?

Today, I am striving to imitate Christ.

Jesus, show me your path and make me obedient to walk faithfully on it.

Lindsey Pond