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Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Old Dogs and New Tricks

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

After two of our dogs died, I thought, no more dogs for me; it hurts too much to lose them, and I am too old to do this again. But six months later, my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and to my surprise (and his), I said a dog. He was not only a rescue dog but a puppy of all things. After a short while, I did not even pretend not to adore him because it was apparent; he leaped his way into my well-guarded heart.

At first, I thought I had lost my mind taking home a puppy; it was like having a toddler in our house again. At the end of my rope, our daughter suggested we send him to an obedience training camp. We agreed when the instructor guaranteed our fur baby would be house-trained within a week. We picked up our puppy a week later to learn that the instructor taught him several basic obedience commands that we had to enforce for two months. In other words, we had to learn the techniques to complete his training. Thankfully, after four weeks, he had the commands down. His basic training, along with our follow-through, paid off.

How is my dog story relevant? God vividly reminded me that Paul, a man educated in and a teacher of God’s Word, wanted Timothy to bring him the parchments when he visited (2 Timothy 4:13). At that point, Paul was in his late eighties and staring death in the face. Execution awaited him, and he would soon meet his Maker face-to-face, yet still needed and wanted to read the Word and hear from God. He was not too old, too knowledgeable, nor too proud about learning more.

God inspired men, including Paul, stirring them to pen His valid and life-changing words that guide us to right-living, showing us what we have done wrong and how to correct those wrongs, truths that teach what is good. Why? So that men and women of God be complete—thoroughly equipped to accomplish every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17). There are no age limits; old and young alike can learn and benefit from the God-breathed Word.

We are to read, study, and learn God’s Word so we can rightly proclaim His truths unashamedly. Whether you are old, young, or somewhere in-between, stay teachable and counted as a workman approved unto God.

I learned an “old dog” could learn “new tricks,” but not without a willing and teachable spirit.



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