“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)
I wonder what Lucy thought when she entered our home. This four pound, twelve month-old Yorkie Maltese Mix pranced in with an air of superiority but her look of confidence turned to shock as she suddenly came nose to nose with a 85 lb. Doberman Pinscher and a pushy, inquisitive Boxer/Pit Mix. She stopped and crouched worriedly as Deion, the dobe, lifted her off the ground with every sniff at one end while Baci, my boxer mix, poked and prodded with her nose at Lucy’s other end. She was obviously fascinating to them. She entered carrying in all the smells from the outside world. She was full of information for their inquisitive snouts. Her paws smelled of squirrel feces, slug slime and other scents undetectable by the human olfactory system. She released a resume of information regarding her sex, mood and fertility. After about 2 seconds of this molestation, she also released a big ole’ can of the proverbial fury. Deion and Baci recoiled in fear. Baci immediately rolled into a submissive white flag and Deion bounced into a play bow; a dog’s way of saying, “Hey, calm down, I’m here for fun!” She was neither intimidated by their size or obtrusiveness. Like David, she drew her stone, flung it, and the giants fell.
There was nothing about Lucy’s outward appearance that promised such internal strength. She entered the home as if she believed she was taking ownership of it but reality set in as she was faced with obstacles larger, stronger, and seemingly insurmountable. What she thought was a fun excursion to a new and exciting place turned into her worst nightmare.
I was fascinated as I witnessed this interaction between the three dogs and studied the change in Lucy’s demeanor. I looked on as the truth of Timothy 1:7 unfolded before my eyes. This tiny, crouching, patient animal realized her true strength and potential in the midst of what seemed like impossible circumstances. As I watched Lucy, I realized the Dobermans of life are no match for the spirit of power that lives in us.
We don’t start out life with a “spirit of timidity”. Like Lucy, most of us, as children, see each new experience as the adventure of a lifetime. Somehow along the way, a few unkind words. disappointments and failed attempts come along and convince us to approach troubles and worry as if they were too big for us. God did not equip us that way. We cannot find the strength to tackle the seemingly impossible from inside of ourselves. We have to look up and not rest our gaze on the looming obstacle before us but past it, up to the Lord who gives us power.
Being timid is easy. It’s safe to stay in the corner in a crowd of people and give the excuse, ‘I’m just shy’. We feel protected surrounded by our insecurities. Lucy could have laid there the rest of her life getting nosed and poked at but eventually, the dogs would lose interest, walk away and live life as dogs do. And Lucy would have stayed there feeling used and dejected; never moving forward. Never experiencing the companionship Deion and Baci could have provided. Never roaming the house and discovering the bit of cookie hidden under the chair that only she could reach.
But like most dogs, Lucy possessed inner strength. She may have crouched down and become submissive in the name of self-preservation but she didn’t cower. She quickly understood through the body language that Baci and Deion presented that they weren’t all that their physical stature presumed them to be. It was as if she thought, “Okay, I’m done being pushed around; I’m taking control here.” God gives each one of us that same ability. Our responsibility as humans is to take control in a spirit of “love and of self-discipline”. Lucy did what cornered dogs do, she lashed out with ferocity. After all, when you’re 12 lbs. facing a 80 lb. opponent, it’s all about perception. However, we can face that verbal jab by a co-worker in the conference room not with fangs bared but with love and self-discipline. Knowing who we are, what the truth is, and who it is that grants us that power. God.
For the remainder of Lucy’s visit, the dogs got along just fine. Deion and Baci knew Lucy’s limits. They gave Lucy her space and she took it. She held her head high and though it may not have been in reality as high as the other dogs, Lucy thought is was. And that was all that mattered.
