WORSHIP LIKE A DOG
My French Bulldog, Rocket, teaches me a lot about worship. From the moment I walk through the door, Rocket begins “worshipping” me. After all, in many ways, I’m his higher power. He looks to me for food, shelter, and provision for his every need. As far as Rocket is concerned, I’m omnipotent.
Rocket reverences and respects me, and perhaps even stands in awe of me, as we should with God. In Isaiah 55:9 God states, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” That’s one reason we worship God—because He’s beyond our understanding. Likewise, Rocket understands virtually nothing of my “ways”—why I do what I do. He only grasps the concept of food, sleep, food, chasing cats, and food. (I’m considering enrolling him in Food Addicts Anonymous.)
The Greek word most often translated “worship” in the New Testament is proskuneo, meaning “to kiss toward.” Worship implies an attitude of submission, by kissing the hand, face, or feet of the one to whom we render obeisance —such as “I worship the ground you walk on.” When we worship God, we “kiss his feet” in our heart, and physically express it in numerous ways. I’m not sure about the ground I walk on, but Rocket certainly kisses my face. As soon as I enter the house, he runs to greet me, leaping up and down with excitement. If I sit, he jumps on my lap, smothering me with doggie kisses.
Rocket also longs to be in my presence, as we do with God. When I leave a room, he follows me. When I step outside, he begs to be let out. When I come in, he’s right on my heels. I wish I pursued God’s presence with that much passion.
I purchased Rocket a week before Linda died, and he has been such a blessing to me. Besides companionship, he’s showing me how to worship better. Maybe if I put as much passion into worshipping my Lord, as Rocket does into “worshipping” me, my devotion to God would be much deeper.
We learn so much about God from nature (Romans 1). Science demonstrates that dogs actually are capable of love (vcahosptials.com). My experience is they often act more loving than some humans. Maybe we should start treating each other like dogs, and worship God more passionately, as our canines worship us.
Principle: We can learn a lot about worship from our dogs.
Ponder:
In what ways do you need to worship God more passionately?
What aspects of worship can you learn from dogs about how to worship better?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Revelation chapter four.
Prayer: Almighty Lord, I fall at your feet in worship. Take me deeper in my passion for you.