I once heard a sermon about a concept called Cat and Dog Theology.

The cat says…”you feed me, you care for me, you pet me, you love me, I MUST BE GOD.”

The dog says….”you feed me, you care for me, you pet me, you walk me, you love me, YOU MUST BE GOD.”

I have a cat named Helen who is 18 years old and I have had her since she was a couple of weeks old.  She has a sense of entitlement and believes the world and my life should revolve around her.  She is self-centered and has her own agenda.  She does what she wants to do and feels as though she runs the house.  She has a sense of having “rights” rather than an attitude of dependency.  Her mantra is “it’s all about me.”  She doesn’t take direction, doesn’t look at me when I call her name, and couldn’t care less about being in my presence.  In fact, she rarely makes direct eye contact.  She is very independent and is not teachable or affectionate.

On the other hand, how the dog behaves is very different.  I have two precious dogs, Whitney (13) and Jazz (7).  Whitney and Jazz are totally dependent on me – for food, water, walks, and affection.  They live to please me and be in my presence.  In fact, they follow me around the house and are eager to make eye contact and just sit and look at me.  They are always excited to see me and are extremely affectionate.  Both are very teachable, walk on a leash, and know a few commands.  Their mantra is “it’s all about you.”  All I have to do is whisper their names and they look directly into my eyes immediately.  They know my voice.

I want to follow dog theology in my relationship with God today.  I want to be as affectionate as my dogs are and long to be in His presence and look at Him.  I want to be teachable, humble, and aware of my utter dependence on Him.  I long to please Him today and follow Him.  May I never forget “my only hope is Jesus.”  And may my mantra today be “it’s all about You, Jesus.”