There are times when I wish I could have a dog’s life. What an easy life they have! They can do pretty much whatever they want, while we kill ourselves working and dealing with the stress of life, they sleep. When we have to cook and clean and be responsible, they can run and play. It doesn’t bother a dog that people take care of him; the dog seems to think that’s just how things ought to be. When they do something dumb, nobody ever taught them to be ashamed, they just keep on doing whatever they like, and then they take a nice nap. Yep, seems like a pretty good job to me, being a dog.
When God first created humans, they lived an unashamed and uncomplicated life as well. They had a job to do tending the garden and ruling over the creation, but there was only one rule they needed to follow; leave that certain tree alone. Compared to all of the nonsense we deal with now, that seems like another pretty good job to me; being Adam. But alas, it’s not to be.
I wonder sometimes how complicated our lives really need to be. Sometimes I think that my life is rather too complicated because of choices I’ve made, rather than just things forced upon me. Do we really need to be living such complicated lives?
Since we were redeemed by the blood of Jesus, we have a relationship with God much like in the beginning. They had a purpose in tending that garden and having dominion over the earth; we have a job in making disciples. They were to keep away from that tree, we are to keep away from doing evil. They had fellowship with God; we have fellowship with God. They had purpose; we have purpose.
What’s really so different?
Maybe, in its very essence, this life isn’t really as complicated as it might seem, if we keep our focus on God and His purpose, instead of on all of the distractions of this world. Well, if nothing else, it’s worth thinking about!
Life Project Blog 
many many times I have said to my dogs, I want your life! This is a wonderful provoking of thought for today…rather simple though when all we need is simplicity and do our job of making disciples for Christ. I love the Lord so much and will serve Him everyday . God Bless
Here we have the domesticated dog. The life of a natural wild dog is not so simple.
The domesticated dog has allowed itself to be almost entirely dependent on its master, for love and affection, for daily food, for its dwelling place, for safe keeping, for its health and welfare, etc.
The natural wild dog is depentent on itself, it has all the effort too make for every area of its life. It often chooses to dwell with a pack of like-minded animals who have the same aims, but it shuns any human master, any rule or authority.
The non-christian is similar to the natural wild dog, he is independent, self-reliant, ungovernable, and shuns the superior master, content to dwell with his own kind and fall into the pecking order imposed by rigorous trial.
The Christian is similar to the domesticated dog, he owns his Master willingly, looks and relies on his Master completely, for everything, he shows and receives love and affection, to and from his Master, he puts himself under his Masters authority willingly and takes the place assigned to him with pride and thankfulness.
One observation I would make is that the natural dogs reproduce themselves abundantly but the domesticated, by contrast, seldom reproduce, if you get my drift.
Go and make disciple among all nations !
Great comments!
I was hoping that the metaphor wouldn’t be too obscure, looks like it wasn’t.
This is so insightful. Thank you for helping me realize that things aren’t so different, and that my choices determine if life is ultra complicated or not. 🙂
I appreciate that, thanks!
I love your dog!!
He’s actually a friend’s dog who loves to pose for pictures!
Sometimes I wonder why it took me so long to learn simplicity. I didn’t have a clue for decades. My life mission–written in the early 2000s–helps me now with the daily challenge of remaining focused. Briefly: “to tell the truth about myself, about God, and about this world God loves so much.” Thanks for the reminder of what I’m here to do.
Elouise
I think you’ve expressed the view of many people, myself included about why we are here. Let’s face it, serving god in simplicity is also a lot of fun!