It came to me last night, as I was cuddling with my dogs. Christians often post about Jesus with descriptions that sound an awful lot like one would describe a loyal pet. He walks beside me. He loves me unconditionally. I can lean on him and he supports me through the tough times. He is my best friend.
My dogs do all that (I have 2, but I'll talk here in the singular so the comparison makes more sense). But they are also undeniably real and far more dependable than a relationship with an imaginary friend. I don't need to read a book, pray or attend a service to know my dog loves me. He shows me his love constantly - sometimes too much! When my dog doesn't do what I ask him to do, I don't have to ignore his actions or defend them by claiming he works in mysterious ways - even though I don't always understand his behavior. When my dog does do what I ask, I will "praise" him with a "good boy", but no actual worship is required. His love may not be "eternal", but it as real as it gets and I can trust in that love absolutely. All my dog asks of me is that I love him, feed him, walk him and play with him.
Sure, he doesn't promise me eternal life, but he gives me far more and better "spiritual fulfillment" than I ever received from Jesus in the years I spent being a devoted Christian.
My dogs do all that (I have 2, but I'll talk here in the singular so the comparison makes more sense). But they are also undeniably real and far more dependable than a relationship with an imaginary friend. I don't need to read a book, pray or attend a service to know my dog loves me. He shows me his love constantly - sometimes too much! When my dog doesn't do what I ask him to do, I don't have to ignore his actions or defend them by claiming he works in mysterious ways - even though I don't always understand his behavior. When my dog does do what I ask, I will "praise" him with a "good boy", but no actual worship is required. His love may not be "eternal", but it as real as it gets and I can trust in that love absolutely. All my dog asks of me is that I love him, feed him, walk him and play with him.
Sure, he doesn't promise me eternal life, but he gives me far more and better "spiritual fulfillment" than I ever received from Jesus in the years I spent being a devoted Christian.
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