Life for Vern has been different this week. Instead of having free reign over his environment, he has been living in confined spaces and directed with a leash to where he can roam. For the first time in his predictable life, Vern has been taken away from all he recognizes and thrust into a world full of dogs of all sizes.
Vern could be seen through the eyes of a camera from our vacation home. Our little dog was viewed hopping in front of strange breeds, eagerly wanting them to notice him. From the perspective of the camera, Vern appeared happy in his short term location. But, the truth of how our little bully felt would never be known.
Over two thousand years ago, Jesus spent the last three years of his life going from location to location, spreading the good news of the Gospel, healing the sick, and feeding the hungry. People from all directions left the comfort of their homes in search of this man, hoping to find something that would fill the empty space in their hearts.
At one point in his ministry, Jesus and his disciples were headed to Bethsaida. But the men found themselves in the midst of a storm. So instead of Bethsaida, the small vessel slid onto the shores of Gennesaret, a small community on the Sea of Galilee. Once Jesus stepped out of the boat, he is surrounded by locals that have heard of this man that heals. Word quickly spreads and people come from far and wide to experience the healing for themselves.
The people in this small village were healed because they believed in this man named Christ. No one knows the changes that took place in the hearts of the people that Jesus healed. Some may have gone home, but others turned from their predictable lives to discover the empty space in their hearts filled.
Vern will return to his predictable life today where he can once again know the freedom of life without leashes and cages. And even though the young Frenchie may never understand why he was removed and then returned, Vern will be fine.
