Pressing Upward

Last week, Paul had a one week class that kept him away from home all day for 5 days. The dogs are used to having Paul home with them most of the time, being out of the crate, & getting to play with Paul and each other. This week, that wasn't possible. They had to be in their crates for almost all day. When we finally did get home, they were dying for attention and to run out some energy. After a day or two of this, we noticed they were becoming more and more defiant and disobedient. We couldn't even get them to sit, which they usually do very quickly. Virginia was barking at everything in sight. They were completely acting on instinct instead of following us. As you can imagine, we were incredibly frustrated. When Paul's class ended and he was home more again, they settled back down very quickly. We concluded that their bad behavior was a result of not getting a fundamental need in their lives: quality time with and attention from their master.

I'm the same way when I don't get quality time with my Master, Jesus. It seems like my whole life is out of whack. When I haven't connected with Him, I am more prone to believe lies from my flesh or the enemy. Every insecurity feels like a glaring weakness on display for the world to see, and suddenly all I can think about is fixing myself, or at least how to fix how I appear.  I'm not worshiping God anymore- I'm worshiping the approval of others.  This makes me less patient, less kind, more defensive, more controlling and altogether focused on myself.

What I need every day is to hear my Master tell me, "I love you as you are, weaknesses and all. I have a plan for your life. I am at work in your life. You are valuable because you are Mine." If I don't take time to meet with Him and worship Him, instead of His voice, I hear my sinful flesh, the enemy and the world's voices. Life naturally leads us away from Christ. It's like walking up the down escalator. If we don't intentionally walk towards Christ, we will drift away from Him. It's considerably easier to go with the downward flow of the escalator, but the consequences are great.  I'm praying God will continue to remind me of the great reward of pressing on upward towards Him, and for the strength to keep climbing!

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door... You step into the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to." -Bilbo Baggins in Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkin