Fynn, our lovable fluffy service dog is keeper of the home. If you are walking by our home and he happens to be outside...he will let you know that you are now on his property. Although it is questionable whether he will or can enforce any protective measure...he tries to let you know that you are not welcomed. Protecting the home is his civil duty!
The instinctive sense of protection is a natural reality for any dog. They see the human family as their pack family, and as such, will defend their pack under every circumstance. Our human history is riddled with stories of brave K-9s that have risked everything in order to protect the ones they love. That sense is admirable. And makes for a lasting relationship with your K-9.
Can the human being be as instinctively protective as our K-9 defenders? Yes, a thousand times yes. And from where did we get our instinctual sense? From God. Scripture tells us, "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." Gen. 2:7.
This reality of the creation of man came from this desire...notice. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." Gen. 1:26.
We are made in the image of God! Our instinctive protective sense comes from our maker. As God has fought for His children, so we do the same. As God has suffered for His children, we do the same. As God has sacrificed for all His children, we would bet willing to do the same! This week, show the people who you love that you are there for them and will always be there for them as long as you live. Doing so, you live what you have been created to do...protect.
So until the next time, this is pastor Tello reminding you that thoughts do change lives!
Pastor Howard Tello