This is a picture of my dog Pal just after his last grooming in November of last year (2022). Lately, he has been having a rapid decline in health and doesn’t look as good as he did in November. Frankly, I don’t think he will make it to his 15th birthday (June 3rd).
He is undoubtedly the best dog that I have ever had. His love and dedication to me is beyond my ability to describe. Should he die soon, I don’t know how I will be able to deal with it, but I will have the memory of my best friend to help me cope with his absence.
During the last ten years of Pal’s life, he has reminded me of what love and dedication to his master really means. Namely, that my will is to be that of MY master because I love HIM unconditionally.
As I consider this situation, I am reminded of a passage of Scripture from the Gospel of John…
The Bible says…
John 21 ( World English Bible )
1 After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.
2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.
4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.
5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”
6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.
7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.
8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.
9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
14 This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.
15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
John 21 ( Emphasized Bible Rotherham )
15 When, therefore, they had broken their fast, Jesus saith unto Simon Peter––Simon, son of John! lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him––Yea, Lord! thou, knowest that I am fond of thee, he saith unto him––Be feeding my lambs.
16 He saith unto him, again, the second time––Simon, son of John! lovest thou me? He saith unto him––Yea, Lord! thou, knowest that I am fond of thee. He saith unto him––Be shepherding my sheep.
17 He saith unto him, the third time––Simon, son of John! art thou fond of me? Peter was grieved, that he said unto him, the third time, Art thou fond of me? and he said unto him––Lord! all things, thou, knowest: thou perceivest that I am fond of thee. Jesus saith unto him––Be feeding my sheep.
This exchange between Jesus and Peter is important. Important because Jesus refers to true heavenly love (agape) and Peter refers to friendship (phileo). Normally, I use the World English Bible, but today I added The Emphasized Bible by Rotherham as I think the latter more accurately conveys the meaning. Why is this important to me now? Well, I love my dog in a way that he will never understand because HE is a DOG and I am a HUMAN. We both love, but in different ways due to our natures. The same is true for my relationship with God. I love The Almighty with my best effort to attain to the true love which Jesus exhibits. My best efforts fall abysmally short, but nonetheless, I keep striving to do better.
I do not know what the immediate future will bring for my beloved dog Pal, or what will happen to him after he dies, but I know that my master, Jesus, loves me in this life and in the life after this one. I do not know EXACTLY what heaven will be like, but deep down I hope that Jesus will allow Pal to be there. Humm, I wonder if there will be squirrels in Heaven ( I think Pal would like to know as well )?
I know this all may be a bit too personal for many of you out there, but it is what it is. I have just one question for YOU: Have YOU thought about your relationship with God lately- Do you really, really love HIM?
I hope and pray that you respond with an overwhelming YES!