My dog, Emma, loves the great outdoors. It's a blast to watch as she runs and snags a frisbee out of the air just at the right time. But there's something I don't understand about her. If there is a dead rodent on the ground anywhere near her, she'll find it. But not only does she sniff it out, she will decide to roll in it. For some odd reason, she considers it attractive perfume. (the picture is of Emma trying to "communicate" with a squirrel hiding in a drain pipe.)
All this makes we wonder about the word INSTINCT. Emma instinctively does this rolling around in smelly dead rodent carcass. If she could talk with me in English, I would ask her why she does that. Most likely, she would answer, "I have no idea. I just do."
Answers.com defines INSTINCT as an inborn pattern of behavior that is characteristic of a species; a powerful motivation or impulse; an innate capability or aptitude: (as in an instinct for tact and diplomacy.)
From the Etymology Dictionary, we find the sense of "innate tendency" is first recorded 1568, from notion of "natural prompting."
As you serve people, I challenge you to ask yourself these questions:
- Is my trust in God a powerful impulse?
- Do I look to God innately?
- Is my reliance on His power a natural prompting?
I once heard someone say our trust in God (using a football metaphor) must be "first and ten", not "fourth and punt." Make trust in God the FIRST thing you do. Make it your INSTINCT. Avoid becoming EXTINCT. And you'll be Serving Strong!
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