Communicating with a problem dog is difficult

Our neighbour has a beautiful young cross-Alsatian dog. It remains locked into a fairly small yard and pleads to be let out.

We took pity on him and took him walking with our dogs, first on a lead, when he pulled hard in all directions and was virtually uncontrollable, then we let him run free.

Unfortunately he snatched and killed a piglet, which put an end to walks in the field where we have free-range pigs. He has recently made matters worse by breaking through a gate and killing five chickens. We long to explain to this dog that his behaviour prevents us from letting him roam with us, but he doesn’t understand us and we have no Dr Doolittle to help with communication.

I imagine our Almighty Father experiences great frustration when our behaviour keeps us confined in a narrow material world, while he longs to open a vast spiritual dimension which extends beyond what we can see and touch and has eternal relevance. Jesus came to bridge the gap. “God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.

We may be so distracted by the multipli-city of voices and the noise of our civilisation that we don’t hear the invitation of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. There is a way out of our dilemma if we listen for His voice, and respond in belief. Then we may walk with him in the sure knowledge that the wrongs in our past have been washed away and that the walk through life, even when darkened by the shadow of death, will be a walk in peace and confidence.