The thing with Old Dogs and even Old Humans is that they tend to fall into routines and general patterns of behavior that they prefer, often on a daily basis. We have a good dog who is getting around 9-10 years old and her behavior is fairly predictable and often revolves around food or lounging next to her favorite people, who also tend to have routine patterns of behavior, even the younger ones. I find that when I look at my life, I’m fairly predictable as well, from the time I get up to the clothes I wear, to my morning routine, the places I shop, and even my work routines, though each day varies a bit. It doesn’t take any of us very long to resemble an old dog. Have you become predictable with any of your daily routines?
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
There is an observation some have made about teachers, that when new initiatives are started, the younger teachers will go after them with more enthusiasm, while the older teachers will comply with what they are required to do, but generally prefer to teach the way they have always taught. As we get older, we tend to prefer less change in our lives also, don’t we? The ‘if its not broke, don’t fix it’ mentality has its merits, but as technology progresses, and some techniques are proven to be more effective, we fine there easier ways to get things done, even if we are reluctant to embrace every new concept. But when we actually try something new and it works well for us, we may become strong advocates of this ‘new thing’ we’ve found. Have you embraced a new tool, new practice, or app, or other technology that has made your life better in some way than it was before?
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 1 Corinthians 5:17
What about us old dogs, can we still learn new tricks that help us improve the way we do things in life? Have you changed the way you read the bible or pray or minister to others much in your lifetime? Yes we have, though at times reluctantly, and that is called learning and growing, which happens physically, intellectually, and spiritually. Maybe someone has shared with you how they practice prayer, or have ministered to you in some way that makes you want to do better or be more effective as well. It takes much motivation and effort to change our habits, but it is possible, and even us old dogs can add new tricks to our routines which allow us to be more effective in how we love others on a daily basis. May you embrace some of those new tricks with the enthusiasm of a young pup!
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14
Yours in Christ,
Clark
