Start from zero
By Christopher Myers
The world is in a crazy place; heck, it always has been ever since Adam and Eve had to put clothes on. Self help and psycho analysis, introspection and shame; these are the run of the mill ambient noises we hear all day long, from newscasters to celebrities. They allow politically correct views to permeate our minds and hearts. These corrupting influences numb us to our joyful existence. Likewise, the serpent in the Garden of Eden—and yes, that is a true story— poisoned the minds of Adam and Eve by speaking the truth, but with a twist. God told them: “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
What did the serpent ask? “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” His purpose was to seduce them away from pleasure and joy and corrupt the intellect’s ability to be ‘as smart as God’. And after Eve repeated what God actually said, the serpent rebuffed her, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ‘And with that, the fruit became good for food, pleasing to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom.’ The rationale. Justification of our disobedience and sinful response because we want it to be so. We know.
But what does this have to do with a Labrador? Well, the other day I called to make a reservation at a local pet day care for my pooch Honey, a yellow Lab. It was a cold morning and the gal was telling me about the dogs playing indoors because some of them weren’t used to the cold weather, beside their coats weren’t thick enough. I reminisced with her about my former yellow Lab, Mr. B who would bound up the beach walk platforms and cross the snowy sand and plunge right into the North Atlantic on Long Island with a wind chill of 20 below zero. He just loved it I told her.
Her response triggered this column: “That’s what I love about Labs, they’re so happy they could care less.” I laughed, seeing back in time to Mr. B with frosty salt water on his fur and a delight in his eyes. Yes, he could care less. He didn’t know good versus evil, he knew obedience and joy. I suppose that’s what I’m after too; knowing about God’s ways and his blessings and provisions rather than getting into the diabolical unimportant. Rather than arguing over politics or world events, I want to bring out my inner Lab, smiling, laughing, speaking kindly and helping others.
Christopher Myers is a designer/writer/forgiven sinner and has fellowshipped with believers around the world. Faith is his passion. Email him at c.myers@me.com