The dogs want in.

We’ve had family living with us for a few weeks. Part of that family are two dogs. They’ve joined our dog, Rudy.

Left to right, Rudy, Zipper, and Buttons. They look alike–almost like they’re related. Yet their personalities are very different.

Rudy loves people–even more than other dogs. He will camp outside the guest room door until whoever is staying there, get up in the morning. It’s like he’s their host and he needs to take care of them so he waits by their door. On our walks, he wants to greet every person along the way.

Zipper–the middle one–is the alpha of the group. The leader. He wants the first treat, the first pat from a human, any toy that the other two might have. But inside, he’s really not so tough. He fears certain sounds, like the “ding” my phone chimes when I receive a text message. He jumps into anyone’s lap because he’s scared when he hears that sound.

Buttons is the quiet one. He pretty much goes along with what the other dogs do. He wants approval.

In many ways, the three “cousins” are a lot like humans. They want food. Comfort. Love. Approval. They will do most anything to get any of those things.

I’ve been reading a devotional about running the race with Christ, by Anne Graham Lotz. In the devotionals, she focused on Hebrews 12: 1-4. It’s about who Jesus is and how he was able to endure much for the joy before him.

…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up (Hebrews 12 1-3 NLT).

Just like the distinctive natures of the “cousins” whose personalities want to conform, who have fears, and try to get along, we must “strip off” the things that keep us from running the race as Christians.

I’ll be transparent here. I am very competitive. I like to win. I don’t like losing. Whether I’m driving in the fast lane on the freeway. When I walk and compete with myself to walk faster. When I enter a writing contest. When I play games. I like to win. Sometimes I win. Sometimes I don’t.

After reading these devotionals the past month, I’m reminded I need to strip off those things that trip me up–like being so competitive. Whether it’s driving in traffic. Writing. Playing a game. I need to keep my eyes on Jesus, who could have not had to endure the cross, yet he did because of the joy before him, so we can be with him in eternity.

How about you? Do you have any of the traits the cousin dogs have? Like Zipper, competitive. Like Rudy, compliant. Like Buttons, the need for approval? Perhaps you, like me, need to keep my/our eyes on the champion who endured much for us–the ones who follow him–for the joy ahead. “Lord, please help me run the race before me. Don’t let the obstacles that prevent me from running the race–competitiveness, wanting approval, desiring what I don’t have. Help me set them aside–for the joy before me. In Your name, Amen.”

Enjoy the song below, “You are my All in All”, sung in three languages, Hebrew, English, and Arabic, sung by believers in Christ in Jerusalem. Enjoy the scenery and the words.

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