Last summer, our family made the big decision to get a puppy. We ended up adopting a little Havanese/miniature Pinscher mix named Nessy and our kids fell in love with her instantly.

I thought this is going to be great! We can take her for walks and get to know people in our community. What a wonderful way to spend time as a family!

Over this past year, God has certainly used Nessy to help me meet and get to talk to new people, just not in the way that I had originally planned.

You see, Nessy has a propensity to go rocketing out of the house anytime she sees a door open even a crack. I sure meet a lot of neighbors as I chase her through yard after yard. Thanks, Nessy!

I was reflecting on the irony of all this during this past week as I made a half-mile walk back to our house with 5.5 pounds of pure rebellion under my arm. I was extremely frustrated as I walked thinking how dangerous it is for her to get loose and how, even though we do everything we can, she still finds ways to escape occasionally. We love our puppy and want her to be safe. How does she not understand this?

As I continued, I thought to myself, “This is what it must feel like for God with us!”

He has given us the Bible to serve as a safe structure for our lives. Its pages are filled with words inspired by the Holy Spirit to instruct us in how we are to live. Instruction that, when obeyed, helps to keep us from much harm and pain as we are guided into a closer relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

As I carried a dog back to our house that is seemingly unable to fight the temptation to seek what ever her heart may fancy in the outside world, I began to understand that I have more in common with this dog than I would like to admit.

My heart is prone to wander from the safe confines of the Bible’s guidance. I too struggle with the temptations of seeking worldly desires. My Heavenly father loves me and wants me to be safe. How do I not understand this?

Jesus told His disciples this parable in Luke 15:3-6, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

I’m not quite sure if Nessy was thankful as I carried her home. I know I was as I reflected on how loving Jesus is and how many times I have been that lost sheep that the Good Shepherd has thrown on His shoulders to bring home.