“Be the person your dog thinks you are.” This is one of my favorite quotes. If you have a dog and don’t neglect, abuse, or train it for ill purposes, these creatures bring joy and happiness that can make us think of the love of Jesus.

There is an unconditional aspect to the love of a canine. Dogs are happy to see you no matter how long you have left them. They love you and lick you no matter how you look or how you smell. Dogs don’t judge you for making terrible decisions or having a bad attitude. Dogs also don’t care how rich, famous, powerful, or successful you are, they just love you. A dog will wait on the other side of a door for you to open it. They are so welcoming and happy to be reunited with you – some can’t contain all their joy and a little leaks out.

I have heard it said that G-o-d is reflected in our d-o-g. God loves us crazy humans no matter what. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.” (John 3:16) “While we were sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) At our worst, despite our lack of attention or affection for Him, He loved us so much that He paid the penalty for our sins with His own life. He doesn’t love us more or less because of our behavior or accomplishments (or lack thereof). He just loves us. “Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world through Him, might be saved.” John 3:17

Dogs do things in unconventional ways to capture our time and attention. Some dogs chew furniture, shoes, socks, and underwear. Some dogs nip, scratch, and jump on you. Others nuzzle, cuddle, love, and lick you til your skin is wet and raw. Whatever works.

Jesus pulls out some unconventional stops to get our attention – things that show us our need for Him and His love for us. He does not want to be out of relationship with us. He wants IN! “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. He who hears my voice and lets me in, I will break bread with Him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) In Luke 15, Jesus illustrates 3 ways He comes after us…He pursues us when we wander away from Him (like the lost sheep). He pursues us when we get lost in the shuffle of life (like the lost coin). When we intentionally walk in the opposite direction from Him, driven by our own desires (like the lost son), He eagerly watches for us to come to Him. The best part – His joy and celebration is incredible when a lost one comes home to Him!

We can liken some of the loving traits of our canine friends to those of God, but we must remember that no one or no thing loves us any more perfectly than the One who made us, knows us, and wants to spend eternity with us.