16th May 2024

Navigating our world

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Psalm 31:3 (NIV)

Have you ever thought what it is like to be a Dachshund? Rather unlikely – but nevertheless let’s consider the lot of this small pooch. Dachshunds were bred to be working dogs with short, sturdy legs that gave them noses close to the ground for tracking, and digging tools to allow them to get down burrows.

But today they are popular family pets. One of my neighbours has one and some close friends have a couple. They have their own gardens to play in and easy walks out in the countryside. But being only a foot or so off the ground I would have thought that adapting to our modern city streets could be a bit of a challenge.

Ever seen an owner and dog making their way through a busy city street, or a thoroughfare such as a mainline station? Take St. Pancras station where there is a long concourse full of travellers hurrying to catch their trains, where I have seen an owner and dog navigating the crowds to make their way to their train. Our dog is so close to the ground, with a very limited worldview. It is surrounded by legs and boots and shoes of every description and all of them striding in haste to reach their trains. Who would see a little animal? You would think that the anxiety level they experience would be off the chart.

Of course, they are attached by a lead to their owners, and they can be seen confidently trotting along beside their owners. They seem to have complete confidence in their humans to navigate their way safely through this sea of fast-moving legs and dangerous footwear. Watch them follow the lead and keep clear of danger as their owner hurries through the gaps in the crowds. The little bundle of dogginess is entirely trusting in its human. 

In a way, our worldview is just as limited as the pooch and full of obstacles that need negotiating. Of course, we are not attached and directed by a lead, but we do look to, and rely on the lead of the Spirit, and the care of Jesus to navigate us through this world. May we be even more utterly trusting than these little animals seem to be, and let us echo the words of the Psalmist:

Prayer
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.¹ Amen.

Study by Hilary Buck

¹ Psalm 143:10 ESV

About the writer:
Hilary Buck is a minister and pastors the Lewes congregation of Grace Communion International.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion in Lewes
The House of Friendship
208 High Street
Lewes
BN7 2NS

Meeting time:
Sunday 11:00 am 

Local congregational contact:
Hilary Buck
Email:  lewes@gracecom.church
Like us on www.facebook.com/Grace Communion Lewes 

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church