Available For Anything For God

In the pages of Lessons From A Sheep Dog, a beautiful journey of redemption is portrayed as Lass learns to love the one who gave her purpose.

Available For Anything For God

If someone died in your place, would you want to give them your all? Rarely, people willingly give their life for someone else. Few kings have sacrificed their lives for their subjects. Jesus, the King of kings, gave his all by dying and paying the redemption pricefor all who have sinned and are condemned to death. In turn, with gratitude, people may naturally desire to give all to Him because of His sacrificial gift. In the same way that sinners are rescued from death and offered a fresh life by Jesus, after a life of abuse Lass, a sheepdog, was rescued and offered a fresh life by her new master, Phillip Keller. The trust building journey of setting aside skepticism and fear, learning to perceive the master’s will, and fully trusting, which Lass experienced in her relationship with her master, will portray how to become available for anything for God. 

Lass laid aside fearful expectation to accept her new master; similarly, we must lay aside fearful expectation to establish trust in God. When Phillip Keller arrived to bring Lass home, the haunting memory of Lass’ abusive previous owner overwhelmed her. Because her fear created misplaced apprehension, Lass falsely judged her new master. Phillip Keller described their drive home. “All the way I talked to her reassuringly in a gentle voice. All I got in response were low growls. Occasionally, I would try to put my hand back to touch or pet her, but she would bear her teeth and snap back angrily.”(page xii) Lass was rejecting the invitation offered by Phillip Keller. Similarly, God invites his children to join his wonderful plans, yet they often reject Him. Some reject Him misunderstanding who He is; in turn, they squander the goodness He holds for them. In contrast, others setting aside skepticism, discover a loving Lord, who bestowsbountiful blessings and fulfillment. Eventually, after her master drastically released her and presented her with the choice of whether to follow or reject him, Lass hesitantly chose to return and accept Phillip Keller as her master. He rejoiced jubilantly. Phillip Keller writes, “Lass discovered that she had a new master whom she could truly trust. She had come into the care of one who really loved her, who understood her, who had only her best interests in mind.”(page xv) As Lass discovered of her master, God can be trusted. 

Lass learned the ways of her new master, and congruently we learn obedience to God. Gradually, Lass grasped the concepts she was introduced to. In increments her knowledge was expanded until she graduated from verbal voice commands to hand signals. Similarly, by studying God’s Word, the Bible, spending time with God in prayer, and gathering with other believers, God’s ways can become known. After a time, a gentle stirring in the soul can be recognized. Gradually, this acute detection for the stirring of the soul will be developed. Phillip Keller reminded, “This does not happen overnight. Nor does it take place in one short burst of devotion. As with the long months it took Lass to learn hand commands, so it takes us years, in some cases, to sense the unmistakable hand of God directing us in every detail of our personal pilgrimage.”(39) This gradual process begins with tiny steps. Ultimately, through her experiences, she learned that he proved trustworthy. 

With her new found trust, Lass hurled herself into her master’s service; in the same way, Christians can plunge into God’s service without reservation. Because Lass trusted her master, she became bold to serve him. She discovered the delight of serving. No longer afraid, fearlessly she bounded into gnarly tangles to gather her master’s sheep in response to his commands. Lass underwent trials, which cost her, “Yet she went gladly, with happy abandon.”Phillip Keller praised, “She knew I knew what I was doing. And all she desired was to be a dynamic part of the whole project. Not once did she hesitate to hurl herself into the toughest tangle to gather up the flock.”(66) Lass served her master to the best of her ability. In Christians’ lives the fruit of trust is evident as well. The fruit of faith in Christ is demonstrated by a Christian’s devotion, availability,and willingness to serve. When a beautiful bond with Christ is developed through trust, Christians possess the strength and determination to fulfill his purposes. God can use people, who are available for anything, to fulfill His purposes. 

Similar to Lass’ journey, we can move aside our fearful apprehension, learn joyful submission, and completely offer ourselves to God becoming available for anything. Pushing past doubt brings clear understanding of the new life the master offers. Gradually, obedience to the master’s ways can be learned. The result of trust in the master is the willingness to be available for anything. As Phillip Keller urged, “Then let us trust Him fully. Let us follow Him fearlessly. Let us fling ourselves with glad abandon into His enterprises.”(68) I encourage you to follow this journey in response to his appeal!