WORSHIP INTO FELLOWSHIP

I am writing at my sister's house. Potter, the Golden Labrador Retriever, is comfortable on his dog bed under the window, watching the streaming sunshine play on the carpet. Seems like a boring life to me, but he seems so content. My nephews are at school. My brother-in-law just left for work, and my sister is somewhere else in the house. When any of them walk into the room, Potter will leap up, tail wagging, to let them know, "I missed you! I missed you! I still love you!"

I am not what you would call a dog person. I had dogs when I was growing up. My wife and I had a dog twice when we were raising children and living in the country, outside dogs. They both got run over by cars. Traumatic. Cured me of needing dogs.

Occasionally we have had opportunities to get another puppy. When we do, we always take a step back from the emotional cuteness of the moment and count the cost. Do we REALLY want the mess, the trouble, the expense, the responsibility? No.

When God created Adam, He filled his world with pets. He brought them to Adam to cure his loneliness and to see what names he would give them. None of them was considered "meet" (King James language for "suitable" or "comparable"). So God took a "rib" (Hebrew literally, curved plank; probably DNA helix) and cloned a "comparable helper."

The Bible gives glimpses of heaven. We read of creatures who constantly fly around God's throne crying "Holy, Holy, Holy!" From our perspective, this seems a mundane life until we realize that these are much like God's pets who are so obsessed with Him that they live solely for His presence, much like the Golden Lab his master. They are never bored! And they afford God a measure of companionship, but cannot fulfill Him the way you and I are created to do, born of His own spiritual "DNA."

Potter has no choice but to follow his instinctive loyalty to humans. And pets, to their masters are somewhat therapeutic. But the dog cannot pull up a chair and enjoy a coffee moment and deep conversation. The dog cannot buddy in a golf scramble, or talk politics, rehash the OSU game, or conjoin in the majesty of a sunset.

Child of God, you have the capability of FELLOWSHIP with the Creator, not just worship. You are capable of ascending to His level, of thinking His thoughts, of conversation, of fulfilling Him in a way that a mere angel can never do.
Like God and unlike the heavenly beings, you have a free will. One glimpse of His loveliness and majesty will stimulate in you a devotion not unlike a loyal canine, but God calls us even higher. "We have the mind of Christ."

Dedicate an hour, designate a day for you and Him. Brew some coffee, or whatever you like, open your Bible and listen. Or begin by sharing your heart, unburdening your soul. "I love the Lord because He hears my voice."

Don't get religious. Just stay real--you can't fool Him.

Thought for today: Be sure to take time to Worship, but take some extra time for Fellowship with God.