One of the best lessons I’ve experienced so far is what makes a dog such a ‘good’ pet. (I use that term loosely because I’m still not convinced that we needed a pet in the first place!) This particular instinct is an absolute marvel to me because of how ingrained and prevalent it is, and it is one we can learn so much from.
Dogs are pack creatures by nature. They thrive in tight little communities and there is such a strong loyalty program to which they instinctually belong. They are territorial to other creatures, and protective against intruders and potential dangers that threaten those inside the little trust-tree, nest thingy.
A few recent instances of perfect examples from our puppy pal, Cocoa:
I lost my cool and yelled at our youngest trying to figure out what happened, what was spilt, and where it was. He had aromatically emptied an essential oil (Eucalyptus) bottle on his clothes. And in the struggle, Cocoa came to his defense.
I was popping Ashly’s neck and back on the floor in the living room and Cocoa interjected, checking on her, and after deciding it was safe, thought he wanted in on the action.
Then there’s this. Every time Cocoa poops, he (like other dogs), circles excessively and then watches to see if I’m watching. Turns out, he’s making sure it’s a good spot, comfortable, and safe. This is an extremely vulnerable position for a dog and so there is a need to be secure. But even with all the checking, there’s that short window where the deed must be done, and Cocoa, this pack animal, needs to know I have his back, especially in his weakest moment.
Scripture teaches to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or in vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each person should look not only to their own interests but also to the interests of others.” Phil 2:3-4 This instruction is wrapped up in the pack mentality. In fact it doesn’t exist outside of it.
God put eternity in our hearts, but we were also created with COMMUNITY in there as well! God said, “Let US make MAN in OUR image…and that’s the image in which He created man and woman (Gen 1:26-27).
So, it’s as much in our DNA as it is for dogs. The problem we run into, is that we have a secondary perspective that dogs seem to NOT be concerned with.
I’ll call it “Ghost Fans.” To define it, think of it like the Sixth Sense meets the Super Bowl. In it we have a stadium full of people there to watch a competition with LIMITED to ZERO concern for the competitors. Sure, they cheer and root for their ‘team’ but it’s a matter of entertainment and pleasure, not investment and solidarity. They haven’t been through any of the grind leading up to this moment. They have had no shared suffering. They are loud to cheer (when it benefits them) and quick to turn on anyone who screws it up. And they’ll leave it all behind at the end of the game except their social media posts, each returning to their own life.
We live for this audience, the biggest stage of our lives. However, at the end of the day (or movie), like the Sixth Sense, they actually DO NOT EVEN EXIST! We think people think about us more than they do AND that they think certain things about us they NEVER have! Hence, Ghost Fans!
Dogs don’t suffer from this atrocious sickness. They are loyal to a fault. You can leave them locked up in a kennel all day and they will be overjoyed upon your return, EVERY TIME! You can even get on to them, holler at them, forget to feed them, roll your eyes, not tell them happy birthday, be sarcastic with them, chew with your mouth open in front of them, talk behind their back, and put them down to their face and they will STILL lick you, like you, and love you!
Their love lies in their loyalty. Their loyalty comes from belonging. Their belonging empowers their love!
Are you living in this cycle? Is someone you know outside the circuit? Are your GHOST FANS running your life?
The family of God provides the framework for this circuit. And if you are living well within its structure, then perhaps someone around you is in need of being brought in! Remember, there is a “great cloud of witnesses” cheering us on to finish our race in this life, keeping the faith!
#TheBeastWithin
#Loyalty
#Belonging
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
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