Two Dogs
The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.
⁃ Soren Kierkegaard
Last week I had breakfast with an old friend. His name is Jim. Jim is somebody that has believed in me since he met me. He prays for me, encourages me, and really taught me about living a life that is all ministry. He's also an incredible storyteller. Like the king of analogies.
He said this last week,
"We each have two dogs inside of us. One dog is vicious, mean, and hungry. And when that dog gets fed, he gets hungrier and just eats and eats and eats. The other dog is gentle, loving, hungry, and powerful. When that dog gets fed he eats, and eats, and eats. Charlie, we are always feeding one of those dogs. We are either feeding the vicious dog that represents our sinfulness or we are feeding the gentle dog, which represents Christ in us. That vicious dog is loud, but we have to make the choice to feed the gentle dog to be satisfied and to shut that vicious dog up."
Incredible. Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matt. 5:6)
Spending time with Jesus in prayer is how you feed that gentle dog. It's how you develop that hunger and thirst for righteousness. What you feed grows, and when you hunger for more of Jesus you will be satisfied, but want more.
Where I struggle is the vicious dog is loud. And he wants the food. My challenge to each of you is to find time. To press in. Feed the gentle dog. Feed what you want to grow. Get on your knees and pray to God to give you a hunger and thirst for Him. And then praise Him for it. Hey, you're reading this, so that's a good start. Keep it up.
Love you, Fam.
Charlie
⁃ Soren Kierkegaard
Last week I had breakfast with an old friend. His name is Jim. Jim is somebody that has believed in me since he met me. He prays for me, encourages me, and really taught me about living a life that is all ministry. He's also an incredible storyteller. Like the king of analogies.
He said this last week,
"We each have two dogs inside of us. One dog is vicious, mean, and hungry. And when that dog gets fed, he gets hungrier and just eats and eats and eats. The other dog is gentle, loving, hungry, and powerful. When that dog gets fed he eats, and eats, and eats. Charlie, we are always feeding one of those dogs. We are either feeding the vicious dog that represents our sinfulness or we are feeding the gentle dog, which represents Christ in us. That vicious dog is loud, but we have to make the choice to feed the gentle dog to be satisfied and to shut that vicious dog up."
Incredible. Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matt. 5:6)
Spending time with Jesus in prayer is how you feed that gentle dog. It's how you develop that hunger and thirst for righteousness. What you feed grows, and when you hunger for more of Jesus you will be satisfied, but want more.
Where I struggle is the vicious dog is loud. And he wants the food. My challenge to each of you is to find time. To press in. Feed the gentle dog. Feed what you want to grow. Get on your knees and pray to God to give you a hunger and thirst for Him. And then praise Him for it. Hey, you're reading this, so that's a good start. Keep it up.
Love you, Fam.
Charlie
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