Lisa Hetzel

I’m an obedience school dropout. I know, we probably should have stuck it out, but our six month old Dachshund, affectionately named Dipstick, just wasn’t ready.

Her enthusiasm was never the issue. She couldn’t wait to scramble through the parking lot to get to class. The problem was with cooperation. The instructor told us that the first thing that we needed to establish was leadership with our pet. Weekly classes involved activities establishing our role as the “Alpha.”

It’s not as easy as it sounds. Instead of quietly submitting to me as I held her in my arms, she squirmed and knocked chairs down. When others would sit and wait for a treat near their nose, my four legged friend would dig in my pocket for more. Occasionally, she would forget that she wanted to be a puppy and would actually sit or stay. Most of the time, however, it was a wrestling match. I’m sure that we were a sight to behold: Me, a grown forty-something woman with a foot in a cast and her, a fourteen pound furry tail-wagging wonder.

I promise. We really did do our homework. We practiced. I rewarded appropriate behavior. But, she simply didn’t want to submit to anyone yet.

Then, it dawned on me. Sometimes, no matter how much we lead someone, they will not trust in God until they are ready. I found true peace when I realized that God is my alpha. I can completely trust in Him to lead me, teach me and supply all of my needs. Following His will does not diminish my identity, it reveals who I am.
Unlike my pooch, I will choose to lie in His arms and follow His voice.

Dear Lord,
Left on my own, I might do well. I might even do something remarkable. But with you, Oh Lord, leading me, I can do so much more. Please help me to follow you, my Alpha, all the days of my life.

Snatching the handle from the holder, I quickly unscrewed the cap. Whew! I squeezed tightly and waited. Clunk, click, silence. The manager stepped outside and shouted, “Sorry, we’re all out of gas.”

Argh!

Have you rearranged your entire schedule to join the local scavenger hunt? I couldn’t believe that they rationed gas by the dollar here in Conyers. I wasn’t sure that we would have enough to last through the week.

I Googled gas price websites and searched local stations as I watched my gauge move steadily toward “E” all week. Our nine year old, usually oblivious to gas station lines, became aware of how this present situation could affect him and our after school activities. Suddenly, he was very interested in this present gas shortage.

When he asked me if there had ever been another problem with fuel, I happily started recanting my memories of gas rationing in the 70s. Just when I thought that he had completely lost interest in my thrilling tale from the olden days, he piped up.

“Hey, isn’t that like the manna story from the bible?”

We talked about the Old Testament books of Exodus and Numbers, when God sent manna from Heaven. The miracle came with a difficult challenge: the Israelites would have to trust God for their needs, one day at a time.

Then, the questions came, “Wait, all these people escaped, followed Moses across the Red Sea and traveled through the desert? And they grumbled? Wow, and then God sent what down from the sky? They could only get enough for a day at a time? Couldn’t they store any? What happened if they took too much? Hey, that’s kind of like gas right now.”

He’s right. We have taken the luxury of our supply for granted. Now, the shortage is bringing out the worst in some folks. There are stories about people behaving like children while they cut in line and yell at each other. Some people are making sure to fill up each day, as they fear that they will run out. Station owners say that panic is further aggravating the problem.

When Jesus began his ministry, he told us that he would supply all of our needs. He came to give us something that would last much longer than food or fuel.

Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35 NIV)
What if we would seek the real food, God’s love? We could have the everlasting bread, Jesus. Where would the crowds be if instead of a gas crisis, it was a faith crisis? What if people wanted to make sure that they had enough private prayer with God, and time with friends in a faithful community? Would we cram the church parking lots and grab a front row seat so that we could be spiritually fed?

Prayer Starter: Lord, if only I would seek you as earnestly and desperately as I look for working gas pumps. If only I could demonstrate gratefulness for your presence in my life. As I drive this week, please help me remember that as I ask for help with daily details, you give me all that I will ever need.