During the very first Life Group I was a part of at Harvest, it didn’t take long to realize that we were a group who loved our pets. For one, we all had dogs, and if we ever took the time to get our dogs together, I’m certain we might have looked more like some kind of dog enthusiast social group than a church small group. It also seemed like every week our dogs were always a topic of conversation and our gracious hosts would even allow other members’ dogs to come over and play with their dogs while we met for food and fellowship—though, that didn’t last long. After about five minutes they would stare at us through a window wishing they could take part in our delicious spread.
This isn’t anything unique at Harvest, however. Most of the members at Harvest have pets that they dote on. In our Life Group, we all had dogs, but I have since learned that others in the congregation have birds, cats, lizards and fish. I guess it’s human nature for us to have affection for animals. After all, the first relationship man ever had with other living creatures was with animals. Adam was given the tedious task of naming each and every animal before he was ever given a wife (Genesis 2:19-20). Surely, he must have forged some kind of bond with his fellow creatures. Maybe that’s why the dog is often referred to as man’s best friend.
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. —Job 12:7-10
I’ll admit, I’m not really a “dog person,” or even much of an animal person, for that matter. But I do see and understand the value they have on mankind. We have God ordained dominion over them, of course, but there is no denying how much they enrich our lives and teach us valuable lessons without the use of a single word. Sometimes they make us want to pull our hair out, but most of the time they make us laugh and show us undivided devotion that nowadays seems hard to find in fellow humans. And if you have attended Harvest for any length of time, you have probably heard Pastor Jason talk about his tales of frustration and affection with his own dog, Cooper.
Yes, we love our pets. Some people even love their pets so much that it’s a little creepy. But it’s because these animals are God’s creation and loved by our church family, that we love them just the same. And I must say, they are the perfect tool to meet neighbors and strike up conversations. Before my husband and I had our dog, an extremely hyper German Shorthaired Pointer, no one cared about us one bit when we took a walk to the park. But now, everyone wants to stop and watch him fetch the ball, ask questions and even talk about their own pets. While pets provide friendship and even make us better people, I believe the most important thing our pets provide is the perfect opportunity to love our neighbor.
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Love Jesus. Love each other. Love your city.
Harvest, go be the Church!
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