In any case, this little puppy had crawled into a water main pipe that ran under three or four houses, so it was quite lengthy. Firefighters and animal control were called in to help rescue the diminutive pup. I found it quite amazing that the entire cavalry was called in to rescue one small animal - similar to one man's blood supply being emptied so that others may live.
The guys had to use what they called a "snake camera", which was kind of a hose-like camera that could reach a couple hundred feet in whatever direction needed, and its gooseneck-y likeness was good for flexibility in reaching through the pipe. They looked for a while, and no luck. They approached the pipe from three different apertures before they found the puppy.
This puppy was up to its paws in water, underground, in a pipe barely large enough to accommodate it. I don't need the debate on if animals have feelings or not, but this little guy (even though he is a she) looked scared. She was lost. Away from her mother and siblings and human caretakers, she didn't know where she was going or what to do. She was utterly lost.
The snake camera the firefighters had used to locate the puppy had a headlight attached to it, and as it was withdrawn, it was noted that the puppy followed the light. She moved forward with weak paws and a scared stance, simply trying to keep some light with her. With fear and trembling trepidation in her eyes, it was all she could do to follow the light - with complete trust.
When she got out, she was hosed down and warmed up and quickly returned to her family. Everyone was overjoyed - the mother dog, the pup's siblings, her human family, and the crew of firefighters and animal control that came out to help. At the end of the day - or, night, rather - she was saved and loved.
In a book I quite enjoy called Crazy Love by Francis Chan, he poses the question,
"How many of us would really leave our families, our jobs, our education, our friends, our connections, our familiar surroundings and our homes if Jesus asked us to? If He just showed up and said 'Follow me'? No explanation. No directions.
You could follow Him straight up a hill to be crucified. Maybe He would lead you to another country, and you would never see your family again. Or maybe you would stay put, but He would ask you to spend your time helping people who will never love you back and never show you gratitude for what you gave up.
Consider this carefully-have you ever done so? Or was your decision to follow Christ flippant, based solely on feelings and emotion, made without counting the cost?"
(Crazy Love by Francis Chan, pg. 95-96, David C. Cook)
Wow. What a powerful series of statements right there.
Imagine Jesus having you crucified.
How much faith do you have? What are you willing to do for God? Often I feel that we interject our scenarios into Christian living - not enough time, resources, etc. - and don't take into account that all we must have is faith. Christ told us not to worry - just as the lilies of the field and the birds of the air do not, and have everything they need. I think that, often, we need to be more like that little puppy stranded in a water main pipe - lost, confused, scared... - and just have courage and trust in something bigger than ourselves. We tell ourselves we need proof, but all we really need is faith to follow the Light.
