Dog Hair; It's Everywhere!

Dog hair; it's everywhere in our home. Vacuum…sweep…mop…none have an effect in getting rid of it. In addition to the floor, it shows up on our couches, chairs, and clothes. Fresh out of the laundry I still find a few white hairs on my black pants.  If I do not take extra care with a very sticky lint roller, I will leave the house with evidence of these furry friends that are currently sprawled out on my living room. Totally oblivious to what they are leaving behind, these dogs are comfortable in my home. They know that they can sleep, play, eat and enjoy the family.

Wherever I go, I take with me evidence of my friendship with these little guys. Little white dog hairs have attached themselves to all of my clothes. Everyone I meet can ascertain that I am, in fact, a pet lover. It may take a discriminating eye to know whether it is dog or cat hair; but a pet lover, nonetheless, is obvious.  It does not bother me a bit because I love these two doggies.

Is there evidence that God lives in our homes in the same way that one finds evidence of my furry friends present in every room of my house? When entering the front door, guests should not only see Him immediately, but feel His presence. In the same way that my dogs run to the front door to greet a visitor, do mercy and grace bound from us as people enter our presence?  Our homes should be havens of refuge for the hurting.  This includes our families first and guests as well.

Even more importantly, do we carry evidence that God lives in our heart in the same way that I carry evidence of my furry friends when I leave the house? Has enough of God shed and attached itself to us that there is no question He lives in every area of our hearts?  “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5b KJV)  This love that was shed in our hearts should be sticking to us in the same way that dog hair does.  Then we can carry His grace and mercy with us as we go about our day.

Although dog hair is carried inadvertently, we are to carry the presence of God carefully.  In the Old Testament very specific directions are given for carrying the ark of the presence of God.  (See Exodus 25) When these directions were ignored and the ark was put on a cart, the result was the death of someone who attempted to steady it.  Later it was carried correctly. “And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord.”  (1 Chronicles 15:15 ESV)  Following God’s plan resulted in successfully bringing the ark to Jerusalem, where it was a blessing to the entire nation.

God desires His presence to be carried in the lives of believers. He shines the light of His love in our hearts to be seen by many.  “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 ESV)   We are theses vessels. Placing God in empty religious practices or good works, like placing the ark on the cart, is not acceptable. It cannot bring life to the hurting. There is no substitute for living daily as a vessel of God.  Displaying His love and mercy always brings life.

We must allow God to be a main element in all areas of our lives.  He is far more than someone we meet with on Sunday mornings.  He wants to meet with us daily. He wants to be part of our joys and tears, our ups and downs and our hopes and dreams.  When He is a part of every area of our lives, we will find so many blessings to thank Him for.  We will know Him better and have reason to praise Him continuously.  We will come to a place that we, “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day His salvation.” (1 Chronicles 16:23 AMP)  As we live out the salvation provided through Jesus Christ, others will be able to see Him in us and be attracted to Him.

God’s love: it's everywhere. Spend your days with God and let His love shed on you. Carry that love and it will be obvious to all you encounter that you are a God – lover and that He loves us all.

Dog hair; it's everywhere in our home. Vacuum…sweep…mop…none have an effect in getting rid of it. In addition to the floor, it shows up on our couches, chairs, and clothes. Fresh out of the laundry I still find a few white hairs on my black pants.  If I do not take extra care with a very sticky lint roller, I will leave the house with evidence of these furry friends that are currently sprawled out on my living room. Totally oblivious to what they are leaving behind, these dogs are comfortable in my home. They know that they can sleep, play, eat and enjoy the family.

Wherever I go, I take with me evidence of my friendship with these little guys. Little white dog hairs have attached themselves to all of my clothes. Everyone I meet can ascertain that I am, in fact, a pet lover. It may take a discriminating eye to know whether it is dog or cat hair; but a pet lover, nonetheless, is obvious.  It does not bother me a bit because I love these two doggies.

Is there evidence that God lives in our homes in the same way that one finds evidence of my furry friends present in every room of my house? When entering the front door, guests should not only see Him immediately, but feel His presence. In the same way that my dogs run to the front door to greet a visitor, do mercy and grace bound from us as people enter our presence?  Our homes should be havens of refuge for the hurting.  This includes our families first and guests as well.

Even more importantly, do we carry evidence that God lives in our heart in the same way that I carry evidence of my furry friends when I leave the house? Has enough of God shed and attached itself to us that there is no question He lives in every area of our hearts?  “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5b KJV)  This love that was shed in our hearts should be sticking to us in the same way that dog hair does.  Then we can carry His grace and mercy with us as we go about our day.

Although dog hair is carried inadvertently, we are to carry the presence of God carefully.  In the Old Testament very specific directions are given for carrying the ark of the presence of God.  (See Exodus 25) When these directions were ignored and the ark was put on a cart, the result was the death of someone who attempted to steady it.  Later it was carried correctly. “And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord.”  (1 Chronicles 15:15 ESV)  Following God’s plan resulted in successfully bringing the ark to Jerusalem, where it was a blessing to the entire nation.

God desires His presence to be carried in the lives of believers. He shines the light of His love in our hearts to be seen by many.  “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 ESV)   We are theses vessels. Placing God in empty religious practices or good works, like placing the ark on the cart, is not acceptable. It cannot bring life to the hurting. There is no substitute for living daily as a vessel of God.  Displaying His love and mercy always brings life.

We must allow God to be a main element in all areas of our lives.  He is far more than someone we meet with on Sunday mornings.  He wants to meet with us daily. He wants to be part of our joys and tears, our ups and downs and our hopes and dreams.  When He is a part of every area of our lives, we will find so many blessings to thank Him for.  We will know Him better and have reason to praise Him continuously.  We will come to a place that we, “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day His salvation.” (1 Chronicles 16:23 AMP)  As we live out the salvation provided through Jesus Christ, others will be able to see Him in us and be attracted to Him.

God’s love: it's everywhere. Spend your days with God and let His love shed on you. Carry that love and it will be obvious to all you encounter that you are a God – lover and that He loves us all.