That None Might Perish

This week I joined two new groups, and both have consumed a great deal of my reading/writing time- the Carolina Dog Rescue group and the Conservative Fifty political group. I have been told many dog rescue people are politically liberal. I don't know if that is true, but I do know that both these groups are in the business of saving lives. One wants to save dogs; one wants to save our country. One tends toward liberal so I am told; one is clearly conservative. I am blown away by the commitment, and desire to do what is right by both these groups. Both care for something greater than themselves. Both use their gifts and time to make the world a better place as far as they can reach. Both groups give me hope.

I always wondered how any single breed rescue could limit themselves to just one breed, since as we all know, every dog should have a chance at life with a wonderful family. One of the posts I stumbled upon while hopping about the group writings said, "We can't save them all, so we choose one, and save him...." One of the posts I just read in the Conservative Fifty said we could not sway everyone's opinions, but we could sway some. Focus on them.

Jesus came to save the world, but many would reject Him and not listen to or care about His offer of eternal life in Him. Nonetheless, Jesus would never close the door or limit the invitation. No one would be denied admittance while he still lived to make the choice, no matter how reluctant or how late the decision. The psalmists and heroes of the Bible often cried out, "How long, O Lord! Why do you wait to bring justice and righteousness and punish all the evil we see around us?"
And God tells us He tarries so that if it is possible, none might perish. His desire is to save us ALL, for His message of love, and mercy to fall upon all our ears, for us all to know Him and be healed and whole, and all united in Him.

Meanwhile, much as I stumble, and falter, and fail, I think my job is to reach everyone within my portion of the world with as much love, forgiveness, kindness, and understanding that I can. I wish I could touch the whole world, and do so perfectly without offending or hurting. I can't. My good intentions often fall short. But I think the message of God is we are not supposed to stop trying. We cannot do it all, and we certainly can't do it perfectly, but we can do one thing, reach one person, save one dog, inspire one hopeful message to glimmer in one person's soul...and then move on to the next one.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

John 17:11-12 (NIV)
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. [12] While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.





-save a dog- hollowcreekfarm.org