I needed a double-take to appreciate this picture. A dog leading himself- so what? Then I realized this was just what I needed to see. Why? Because I need encouragement to be an adult, to be responsible, to be every thing I need to be to serve God. Today, we are encouraged to live off the state dole, to be submissive, to be quiet little creatures guided by the "Nanny, all knowing government" because we are "unable" to handle our own affairs both publicly and privately?
Consider...
Ephesians, Chapter 4 (WEB)
11 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; 16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.
The exhortation above is to be "a full grown man" and to "no longer be children"- Which basically means being a person who is able to think for themselves and direct their own life.
And
If a dog has the ability to guide himself- so do I!!!!