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God happened to visit the pearly gates one day when two dogs and a cat appeared.
All three were hoping to gain entrance to heaven.
God said to the first dog, a golden retriever, “Why should I allow you into Paradise?” The dog replied, “I was loyal to my master, even surrendering my own life to save his baby son in a flood.” “How extraordinary,” said God. “Please come in!”
“And why should you be allowed into heaven?” God asked the second dog, a German shepherd. The dog replied, “I received three canine bravery medals for my work as a police dog, and died in the line of duty protecting civilians in a hostage siege.” With a melting heart, the Lord said, “You are most welcome!”
God then turned to the cat. “And why, little kitty, should you be granted entrance to heaven?”
The cat replied, “I believe you’re sitting in my chair.”
Even though the number of “cat families” has recently passed the number of “dog families” in the United States, it’s hard to argue against the well-worn aphorism that canine companions are humanity’s best friends.
Dogs seem hard-wired to be loyal, faithful, and eager to please. Cats seem hard-wired to wonder why it’s taking so long to open that can of Fancy Feast.
British author and theologian C.S. Lewis, who adored dogs, once made an observation about the boundaries we place on the lives of our pets.
Dogs are not allowed to put their paws on the dining room table. They’re forbidden to bark at the neighbors, search for morsels in the garbage can, or launch a frontal assault on the letter carrier. They’re not permitted to use the dining room as an emergency latrine. Or to offer their coat as a resort destination for ticks and fleas. Having re-entered the house on a soggy day, a dog will be scolded for shaking water and mud on everything in sight.
But those are the very things that dogs do naturally. Doesn’t it seem cruel and unusual to invite an animal into our home and then impose standards and rules that contradict its very nature?
If dogs have the capacity to imagine a different kind of life, perhaps they entertain the fantasy of running wild and free, breaking all the rules that people have dreamed up, and avoiding scary trips to the vet (especially involving the Cone of Shame). Perhaps we need to start a canine liberation movement.
Not so fast, says Lewis.
It’s true that a dog who is on his own is free. He is free to experience the unpredictability of a daily existence in which there are no guarantees of food, shelter, health, and companionship. Such “freedom,” in other words, is exceedingly expensive.
An untrained mutt who has been welcomed into a caring family does indeed forfeit much of its liberty. But the trade-offs are impressive.
A dog who lives within the “rules of the house” gets to take naps by the fireplace. And go for rides in the car. And receive the occasional scrap from the table. And best of all, jump up on the bed and sleep in the company of trusted friends. Life doesn’t get much better than that.
People can learn a lot from their dogs.
We may think that the freedom-to-do-whatever-we-want is the cornerstone of a happy life. But freedom without boundaries is highly overrated.
Make no mistake: If you surrender your heart to Christ, you’ll be subjected to a new set of boundaries on your life that (from one perspective) look restrictive. Or ridiculous. Why should you give up your freedom to plot revenge against the person who wounded you, cut corners on your taxes, or follow your sexual impulses wherever they take you?
The answer is that the things that people “naturally do” have never had the capacity to bring about the joy they advertise.
Becoming a member of God’s family, on the other hand, opens up a world of privileges and opportunities that most of us have never even allowed ourselves to imagine.
We give up the freedom to do just anything in order to experience the freedom of experiencing what our hearts have always wanted.
As Jesus said concerning himself, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Ultimate liberation is found in Christ alone.
We may not get to live a dog’s life.
But that doesn’t mean, spiritually speaking, we have to end up in the doghouse.