Accomodating the Dog
From Pastor Tim’s article in the 1/20/16 Weekly Update
Nearly a year ago our family adopted a new member into our family. Journey, a four year-old Yorkshire terrier arrived with long hair and an active tongue. It seems there is nothing she won’t lick given the opportunity. After not having a dog in our house for more than a year we weren’t quite prepared for what was to come.
It seems that Journey’s previous owner limited her water supply to accommodate her small bladder and the fact that the house was empty all during the day. Thus, she was limited to a cup of water first thing in the morning and another a 5pm. That’s it for water. Journey, however, decided to buck the system by searching for water wherever she could find it.
Her second endearing habit was to get into the trash can and search for hidden treasures. Several times in the first few weeks of her time with us we would come home to find the trash can on its side and garbage strewn about the kitchen floor.
Her third, ”trick” was to get into any food that might be left lying around the house. Did you leave your sandwich on the coffee table to answer the door? No problem. Journey will take that with a big “thank you” grin on her face.
To enable us to live together in peace we determined a course of action that we thought would solve the problem. For starters, we either put the toilet seat down or closed the bathroom door; thus, eliminating the chance for Journey to drink from the porcelain fountain.
Next, we went out and bought a trash can with a lid. That way she couldn’t get into it and make a mess.
Third, we made ourselves get into the habit of setting drinks and plates of food up high where she wouldn’t be able to reach them.
Actually, what we did in all three actions was accommodate a dog that we concluded was not going to ever change. She was never forced to change her behavior. It was we who changed to try and avoid the situations where her natural urges would determine her behavior.
Some Christians take the same approach to sin. They surrender to the notion that they will ever be able to not sin and instead accommodate the sin by trying to make it harder to achieve. Can’t beat the porn habit? Get a program for your computer that will make you accountable to a partner for what websites you visit. It’s better than sinning, but it doesn’t really address the issue of sinful behavior.
Can’t control your spending? Cut up your credit cards so you won’t be tempted to go to the store without cash. It’s better than going in debt, but it doesn’t solve the real problem.
Jesus came into the world to accomplish more than just bailing us out when we inevitably commit sins. Jesus lived and died so that we could achieve victory over sin and not live lives that just accommodate it.
Is your personal story one of trying to manage your sinful habits and not let them get too far out of hand? God has a plan that is far greater.
