John 13:34 (NIV) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another.”
In a recent scientific study it was
determined that cats do not love their owners – at least not like dogs love
their owners. The study - reported in Discover
magazine October 1 – concluded…
“We’re pretty
sure this post is going to be hated by all the feline fanciers out there, but
this study is just too good not to share. Here, researchers applied a test
developed for use with children to investigate the relationships between cats
and their humans. The test can determine whether children, and apparently
animals, view their caregivers as a source of safety in a threatening
environment. It turns out that using this metric, dogs are “securely attached”
to their owners, but cats are “not necessarily dependent on others to provide a
sense of security and safety.” But that doesn’t mean their owners aren’t
dependent on their cats for warm fuzzies in a crazy world!”
This is probably not
news to pet owners. Most of the cats I’ve known have a certain independent
attitude and don’t mind isolation. Most dogs, I’ve observed, thrive on
companionship and don’t seem to care much for isolation. They can get lonely,
whereas cats don’t seem to mind being left alone. I don’t care to take a
position on whether “cats rule and dogs drool” – or vice versa, but the
difference is interesting.
Some Christians are
like cats: aloof and isolated. They think they don’t need community. In extreme
cases they avoid church altogether. I believe such persons may actually be a
different species than Christian. I do not think it is possible to be a
Christian and isolate yourself from the people Jesus has made to be your
brothers and sisters. Forced isolation can’t take the faith from you, but a
self-imposed one communicates what you think of a Savior who created and loves
His church.
And some Christians
are like dogs: hungry to share affection, loving, faithful, interactive,
social, and not wanting to miss anything. In some cases they may come on too
strong or be a bit insecure in themselves – perhaps even somewhat clingy. But
the companionship drive is very strong and rewarding to both the owner and the
dog, and the companionship drive, or fellowship, in Christ is very rewarding to
believers.
Human beings need both
– alone time and fellowship. Married couples need both. And Christians need
both. If you are isolating too much, and you have little or no interaction with
other believers, give some attention to the red flag raised by that. You were
made for community and saved to be part of the family of God in Christ.
“Family” requires and offers relationship that is healthy. But God also is at
work in your inner life, which may be nurtured by His Word and prayer, along
with times of worship when it’s “just me and God”. And, by the way, that’s as
isolated as you can possibly get. Because of God’s existence and His presence,
you can never be truly alone. You may shut Him out, but you cannot “shoo Him”
away or dismiss Him from your presence. But it can feel great to get away from
people and busyness and stress to care for your soul in a quiet place. May the
Lord renew you in both dimensions of your life.
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV) 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and
dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord
forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let
the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were
called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all
wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in
your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in
word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him.
Luke 5:16 (NIV) But Jesus
often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Matthew 6:6 (NIV)
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray
to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in
secret, will reward you.
Psalm 46:10 (NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God; I
will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
PRAYER: Father, thank you for both the privilege and
joy of fellowship, and for time to be by myself. Help me to not get out of
balance. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
No comments:
Post a Comment