Gospel Illustration 3

Today I would like to just share some thoughts from “Cowboy Ken” as he taught in Vacation Bible School.  One thing that caught my attention was what a dogie (pronounced do – gee) is.  These are the calves and cows that dart out of line while the heard is being moved.  The more I think about it the more I seem to compare this to the Church.

As the cattle are being moved they for a line and the cowboys ride along in front, behind and on both sides.  This makes me think of the Pastor and the Deacons of the Church.  The Pastor leads “the herd” from the front as he follows God.  Then the Deacons bring up the sides and the rear.  These Deacons go after the “dodgers” or “dogies”; which is where we get the term dogie.  There are people that are in the Church; but, want to get out most of the time.  They just want enough Church to hopefully ensure they make it into Heaven.

While the cattle are walking together in a line occasionally one of these dogies shoots out to the left or right.  Off goes the cowboy on his faithful steed after this deserter.  This should be how the Deacons and other Church members as well as the Pastor work.  When someone darts out of the Church we need to go after them and let them know they are loved and then let them and the Holy Spirit make the decision whether to come back to the herd.  Look at Matthew 18:12, “How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?”  Don’t be a Christian dogey.  Stay put in your “herd” unless God leads you out.

So, how are you doing?