Getting the Junk Out

We had an “incident” at agility class recently. About half way through the class, Bison became very distracted. He wasn’t listening to my commands, was pacing, and just generally not acting normal. The instructor and I both thought that it might be the heat. I also thought that maybe he wasn’t feeling well since he refused food that morning.

We always end class with a mini run of the obstacles with which we worked that that class. When it was Bison’s turn, he ran the first half, but when it was time to go over the A-frame, he refused. This was rather puzzling. This is normally his best obstacle because it is also used in Schutzhund. I gave him the command at least three times and tried to run up to the frame with him. He just kept pacing, then all the sudden he stopped and pooped right there on the course. I probably don’t need to explain what a huge “no, no” this is. Done in competition, it will disqualify the dog completely. I was very embarrassed. The piles left by a large GSD (German Shepherd Dog) are serious stuff. It pretty much ended the class.

As I drove home, absolutely mortified, I was reminded of a portion of a recent sermon. The preacher talked about all the junk that we put in our lives and how that can prevents us from serving God. The things that we watch, listen to, and read that are dishonoring to God and His principles cause our hearts to be distracted from the tasks that we need to accomplish for Him. I actually chuckled out loud at the similarity. Just like Bison needing to get the (Ahem) “junk” out of him to be able to focus, we need to get the junk out of our lives too.

James 4:7-9 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.