One of my favorite games to play with my beagle, Coco, is multiple versions of hide-and-go-seek. Sometimes I will hide myself in the house; other times I will hide a toy of hers in a room, and other times I will simply sit on the floor and hide her toy under my legs or hands. What I find interesting is that no matter how many times we play this game, she tries to use her vision or hearing in the search; rarely does she use her sense of smell. I can hide her toy in the same spot repeatedly, but if she didn't see me hide it there, she does not think to look there. The whole time she has this magnificent sense of smell that is unused and untapped, one that would find what she is looking for every time, in short order.
As I thought about this while playing with her this evening, I came to realize that this is often how I approach the Spirit's ministry in my life. I would rather do things in my own strength - thank you very much -- I'll resist temptation, try to act more Christ-like, or reduce a particular bad habit in my own strength. Nevermind the fact that the Spirit of Christ lives in me and is there, ready and able to strengthen me. And in truth, without Him, my own frail efforts will fail, just like my dog's attempt at using what she sees is frequently a failure.
Why does she, and why do I, continue using such inferior methods? Because she forgets that she has this amazing nose on the end of her snout (and I forget the Spirit lives in me). Because she has is not practiced in using her nose, relying instead of her other senses (just as I am unpracticed in the reliance on the Spirit). Because the use of her nose requires more than sight or hearing (and the reliance on the Spirit requires a different approach of me). Because she thinks she knows where I hid it when in fact appearances can be deceiving (just as they can in my own life and yet I think I can do it somehow).
The few times when she has actually engaged her nose it has been no contest. Not a hope, not an attempt, there is no place to hide, because then, she will find it. Alas, those times are rare. With her and with me.
The analogy does break down in one area, and that is: her nose is part of her, it is something she in her nature is capable of. Without the Spirit, well, I am simply a dog without a nose.
