Dead or Alive

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins," ~ Ephesians 2:1

This past Friday, I took Bishop, our male dog, to the vet. His leg problem required x-rays, but the doc felt pretty confident he could pull it off without having to sedate the dog. Several minutes after he and Bishop disappeared into the back, the vet came bursting through the door of the exam room, collapsed against the wall and gasped, "He turned into a beast!" Sedation would definitely be necessary. Once the doc and I discussed the findings and our course of action, one of the techs offered to bring our Sleeping Beauty to the car. She carried him out, his dry tongue dangling from his mouth, his head and legs limp, his body lifeless. My poor baby! Once at home, he remained stiff and unmoving on his bed for hours. Although Bishop is considered a senior citizen, he has the heart and energy of a pup; he is action! from the time he awakens. Seeing him like that was unnerving; the stark contrast to his nature made him seem all the more corpse-like. Periodically, I'd lean over him and stroke his soft ears, or whisper to him just to make sure he was still alive (he's never been sedated before, and I was concerned for any adverse effects).  I had to get close to verify he was still living; from a distance, all I could see was his inactivity -- the first clue he might be dead.

This past Sunday, our pastor used Ephesians 2:1 in his sermon. He said life is marked by activity. Immediately I thought of Bishop, lying on his bed so stiff and cold; his breathing so shallow. I could not tell, even from two feet away, whether he was alive. And I wondered if I was like that. I don't mean physically dead or alive, but how close would someone have to be to know whether my walk with Christ is vibrant, fruitful?

Do my Facebook friends know I'm praying for them? Do my neighbors know I care about their failures and successes, their needs and their peace? Do the people I work with know how much I love them? Do my friends enjoy my company, see our friendship as a blessing, or receive encouragement when we talk? Does the deep unconditional love I profess for my family coincide with the way I relate to them day after day? Am I keeping my eyes and ears open for ways I can serve others and be Christ to them? Am I constantly praying for opportunities, not only to speak the gospel to others, but to demonstrate it as well? Am I poured out daily in sacrifice to the Living God?

Am I a corpse? Or have I turned into a beast for the sake of Christ?