The Uproar: Part One

I’m not a morning person, and I never really have been. I can get up when I need to, but I’d rather stay up late than get up early. Even as a kid it was hard to leave my warm bed every morning. But thankfully God gave me the ability to grit my teeth and just get up when needed. I’d like to share one such instance which I will never forget.

When I was twelve we had a dog named Nikki. She was a very strong Husky, German Shepherd, and Malamute mix. Her morning routine was like any other canine: let me outside to do my business or I’ll ruin your floor and your morning.

It was a school morning when I heard Nikki downstairs, whining by the door to go outside. My Dad was sleeping on the couch and my sister was in her room…I’m certain that both heard Nikki crying to go outside but were hoping she would quiet down and just let them sleep in peace.

I knew better. She would keep on crying until someone responded, even at 6:00 a.m. Someone would have to get out of a warm bed, walk a cold floor, and let the dog out a half hour before the alarm clocks started ringing.

Life is full of situations like that. As Christians, we present ourselves as followers of Christ and His righteousness, but our flesh is constantly tempting us to live in warm comfort, even if it involves sin. Without discipline and accountability, we would all laze our way through life and be a poor representation of Christian stewardship.

If the work of Christ is to be accomplished, it involves an attitude of discipline daily. Sometimes that means telling our flesh to “shut up” when it’s screaming for a life of slothfulness and ease. The world is watching to see if we’ll do whats right (getting up to let the dog out), or if we’ll do what’s convenient and comfortable (laying in bed ignoring the dog.)

I got up because I had to do what was right, and what happened next is the oddest thing that ever happened to me…to be continued.