Live fearless - like my dog

He doesn't know he's tiny.

He weighs in at a whopping 4.5 pounds. But in terms of attitude he could tip the scales at 405! He lives every moment of life as the adventure it is. Messy hair doesn't bother him. Nor does it matter where he goes, as long as he's with his master.

As a small dog, he has many reasons to fear. But he doesn't know he's small. He doesn't worry about a thing. He just lives in the moment, soaking up joy.

And I started thinking about his fearless love of adventure.

Many people in the bible were called to go on adventures for God. Take Abram, who's name was changed to Abraham. ("No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations."*)

"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going."

He left most of his extended family. He left his property. And he headed out to who knows where. How could someone do that? Wasn't he afraid?

Then there was the million or so children of Israel, who left Egypt and leaded for Abraham's promised land, which was now their promised land. They were told to be ready. God prepared them to be ready.

"This is how you are to eat: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover."

What if God called you to an Exodus supper? I'd put on my running shoes!

And there there was Andrew. He was a disciple of John the Baptist. But when John pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God, Andrew immediately switched allegiance. He commits to follow Jesus, and he doesn't even know where Jesus lives. The story fascinates me. You can read about it in John 1:35-51.

God calls people into the unknown. He often asks us to leave everything comfortable behind. But never asks us to go alone. He says, "I will be with you." So we go.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

My dog is always ready for an adventure. He sees me making moves to go and he sits at the door, waiting patiently for me to strap on his leash. He's all in and fearless - regardless of where I'm going. Why? Because he loves and trusts me.

That's why I say I want to live like my dog. Excited and fearless. I want to be "all in" no matter what adventure God takes me on. Why? Because I love and trust him

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love because he first loved us."

Note: Living large doesn't mean our dog is king of the pack. Here's an excellent article on small dog dominance.

*Scripture: Genesis 17:5; Hebrews 11:8; Exodus 12:11; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18-19