My dog becomes a spaz when any rodent enters our yard – and that is often. Squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and probably others I don’t want to know about. We have windows looking into the backyard. When she spies one of the critters, she goes so crazy that I worry she will bust through the glass!
We occasionally have doggie playdates at our house. There is nothing more fun for them than sounding the all-dog alert that there is a trespasser who must be taught a lesson. When the back door is opened, it’s “go time”! The dogs look like runners taking off on a shotgun start. They all tear out into the yard with such fierce voracity that you would think these silly pups were true menaces.
For lots of years, I have never, not once, worried for the critters’ safety. The dogs are pretty much “all bark and no bite” never having come close to a capture. The dogs’ loud barking and squealing as they are in hot pursuit is a warning siren that gives them away. Their lack of success, however, has never dulled the excitement of each new opportunity. This week the tide turned. Yep, not sure how – I guess it was teamwork as we had a visitor – but there is an additional squirrel in heaven. One of the pups victoriously carried the trophy as they both proudly trotted to the door.
The dogs going out with fervor every time they see a squirrel really struck me today.
We are commemorating Pentecost, the 50th day after Jesus’s Resurrection and 10 days after His ascension to heaven. On the day of Ascension, Jesus told the disciples: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” (Acts 1:8-9)
10 days later, Jesus’s disciples were celebrating the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:2-4)
It was GO TIME!!! Jesus’s Spirit now was in the disciples to help them, teach them, and remind them of all He taught them. (John 14) These people were told to bear witness to the truth of Jesus, and they bolted out of the gate with fervor like my dogs! A huge group of Jewish people from neighboring nations was in Jerusalem for the Jewish feast. Each person began hearing in their own language how Jesus fulfilled prophecies about the Messiah, and that Jesus promised to send His Holy Spirit to every believer.
Peter said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39
Christians are called to gently and respectfully bear witness as to who Jesus is and how He has impacted our lives. Some may hear the message as a squealy bark and run away. But ya’ never know. You may catch one! We obediently witness, God changes hearts. The day the disciples spoke with the power of Jesus’s Spirit, about 3000 people accepted The Message!
It may not happen every time we share the incredibly good news of Jesus, but like the pups, we should go out with excitement and joy every time. Then we rejoice with the angels when even one person heeds the call! (Luke 15:10)
