Chains
As of late 2017, there were twenty-eight states that do not have laws prohibiting or regulating the practice of using a chain or other tether to restrain a dog on a pet owner’s property. The remaining states consider the practice of chaining pet dogs as cruelty to animals. My wife, who like most, is an avid animal lover. I have looked on many times while she left a condemning note on the windshield of a car in which a pet was left in a stifling car in the summer heat.
I have a distinct memory of the house across the street from ours in the neighborhood we moved away from a few years ago. I remember it because the home owner had an iron stake in his side yard to which he chained his dog in full sun. It was a muscular animal with a thick coat and a jocular personality.
When anyone would walk along the sidewalk, the dog would strain against the 10 foot chain with its nub of a tail wagging to greet the passersby in hopes of some attention and a possible pat on the head.
One Sunday afternoon, my wife was taking fresh water to the dog which, seeing her approach, leapt with happiness at the hope of receiving some attention. As she reached the curb, she tripped and injured her wrist. She insisted that we finish the task before heading for the ER. Fortunately, it was nothing worse than a sprain.
In Luke, Chapter nine, the Lord entreated a man to follow Him. The man agreed but said, “First let me bury my father.” Jesus replied, “Let the dead bury the dead.” Another said “I will follow you but first let me say goodbye to my family. The Lord replied “no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.” All good reasons for reticence but, chains none the less.
A week ago, my wife and I along with a daughter and two grandchildren were waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant. While we were waiting, we noticed a gentleman walking away from his adult children and several grandchildren, one of whom was holding up the flashing/vibrating pager saying, “Don’t go, Grandpa, it’s our turn.” On his way out the door, he said over his shoulder, “See you in church tomorrow.” We were sad to see that the man allowed his impatience to rob him of an opportunity to share a meal and intimacy with his family.
In Mathew four, we see Jesus walking beside the Sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers, Peter and Andrew, casting their nets into the lake– they were fishermen. He said, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him.
I sometimes feel like I am drifting along in my walk with the Lord and remaining static in the quality of our relationship. Perhaps you do too. If I am honest with myself, I will confess to being chained by some of my ways. I am hungry for a deeper experience, but I strain against impulses and behaviors that keep me from getting closer to Him. How can I enjoy close fellowship with Him when I zip along the Interstates at 80 miles per hour? Or when I am curt with a salesperson? Or when I am deaf to my wife’s signals that I am being dismissive of her? Or worse– seeking to be first.
There was some controversy surrounding a Dodge Ram commercial during the Super Bowl this year. The ad included a portion of Dr. Martin Luther King’s 1964 sermon “The drum major instinct.” The drama led me to listen to the complete message which I thought was both penetrating and convicting. The foundation of the message was pointing out that we all have the drum major instinct– “the desire to be important, to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade.” Dr. King made reference to the teachings of the great psychoanalyst, Dr. Joseph Adler in his proposition that promotion of the ego is the dominant human impulse. Dr. King warns that failure to harness the drum major instinct leads to ruptured relationships, institutions, and distorted personalities. This instinct was the subject of Christ’s exhortation that “whosoever would be great among you, shall be your servant and whosoever will be chiefest, will be servant of all.” In my universe, this instinct is the mightiest of chains.
Discipleship that costs little or nothing will never close the gap between us and the One who desires a close walk with those for whom He made the ultimate sacrifice.
Day by day
Day by day
Oh dear Lord three things I pray
To see Thee more clearly
Love Thee more dearly
Follow Thee more nearly
Day by day
From Godspell
Kent
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