The Lion or the Dog?

The comedian, Michael Jr., gives an illustration of a man running to the top of a mountain. He reaches the summit --How does he feel? Great, right? Exuberant. Another man runs toward the top of a mountain, but a dog is chasing him --How does he feel? Relief. Just relief. The first man runs because he has chosen to run, to meet a goal, to see the world from the top --whatever his motivation, it is his motivation and he obeys it because he chooses to obey. The other man has no choice but to run --or, be bitten. He will yield to necessity as many times as necessity dictates, in the way necessity dictates, for as long as necessity dictates, or he will suffer painful and unpleasant consequences. And when he reaches his moment of safety, he will pray he will not need another; but there are no guarantees. The dog will rule the man's behavior. Michael Jr. asks, "Which man are you?" 

Throughout history, there have been folks who have chosen their destiny, followed their destiny, created their destiny. And there have been folks driven by circumstances, doing all of life in response to whatever life throws at them, driven by the need to react. There have been Christians in both camps. But is one closer to God's design for us than the other? I think the answer is Yes, but I want to be clear with regard to "destiny": I'm not talking some abstract or cosmic purpose for being, or some self-decided path for career or life. By "destiny" I mean the God-ordained, God-employed, God-directed manner in which we serve Him and bring Him glory. And if this is the definition, can there be any other way but to follow after such a destiny but with zeal, intent, and every bit of ourselves? Can there be any other choice but to comply? Unlike the dog that will inflict damage if we do not flee, God rewards those who diligently seek Him. One is flight from harm, the other is pursuit of Reward. One finds us in a necessary place but not necessarily the place we'd choose to be; the other finds us in a good place, safely and firmly in the center of God's will. One is an obligation, the other is a choice. One is a reaction, the other is action.

I say all of this today because so much of my life was spent reacting to others and responding to the problems I encountered throughout each day. Spinning plates. Extinguishing fires. Choose whatever metaphor you'd like. I'm thinking that, maybe, you have experienced this in your life as well. But Scripture tells us that submitting ourselves to Jesus brings freedom, freedom from sin and death, freedom from anxiety, freedom from the things of this world that will rule our behavior and determine our destiny if we haven't submitted to a loving and sovereign God who calls us to heights He has prepared for us.

Which man are you? Are you living because it is your joy, because there is something glorious waiting for you at the end of the race? or has life become nothing more to you than dodging pitfalls, fear and insecurity driving you, the dogs of this world nipping at your heels? Are you in pursuit or trying to stay one step ahead? Have you yielded your way to Jesus or have necessity and expectation put you in chains? Who sits on the throne of your life, your destiny, your behavior --the Lion or the dog?