Consistent and Persistent

I have an adorable beagle named Jojo. Most days I am faithful to take her for a walk around our neighborhood, (barring any inclement weather). We often walk past a house with a tiny and loud chihuahua. A chain-link fence surrounds the yard. No matter which direction Jojo and I approach, he starts barking at us on one side, and then as we pass the house, he quickly runs to the other side to bark at us some more—and often with more gusto. For such a miniature dog he sure has much to say. I am always amused and think it’s a little endearing even though I’m sure if I could translate what he is yelling … it would not be uplifting. Jojo just ignores him and takes her good ‘ole sweet time sniffing every little morsel of grass as beagles tend to do.

Recently on one of our walks, I couldn’t help but think how consistent and persistent this little chihuahua is. He never misses a beat. It amazes me how Jojo is so unaffected by the noise and not in a hurry to pass by. Normally, when encountering other dogs, she barks back, wags her tail profusely or growls, depending on her instincts, but she rarely ignores them altogether. Beagles are also very stubborn and sometimes Jojo takes even a longer time sniffing at this house almost as if to prove the chihuahua’s barking means nothing to her—she’s going to stop and sniff however long she wants.

It made me wonder if I ever ignore God the way Jojo does with our chihuahua friend. I know God is not an annoying, yapping dog, but He is consistent and persistent in His pursuit of us. If there are times when He seems quiet or silent, it is probably because I am more like Jojo—too busy sniffing every blade of grass, trash can, etc. In human terms, I am too busy and distracted by work, schedules, deadlines to keep, housework, carpools—life in general—to hear God’s consistent and persistent voice. I, too, am stubborn and can just as easily ignore the Holy Spirit’s nudges in my spirit and take my good ‘ole sweet time with my own agenda.

Like the barking chihuahua, God sent many prophets to the nation of Israel to warn them of impending destruction, leading to exile in foreign lands. He was consistent and persistent in His communication methods and warned them time and time again, “And the Lord has sent to you all His servants, the prophets, again and again, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear” (Jeremiah 25:4 NASB). One of the last prophets before their exile into Babylon, Jeremiah, spoke God’s words to His people, “To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed, and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it” (Jeremiah 6:10 MEV).

Feel free to pray with me:

Lord, may I surrender my stubbornness to You and faithfully incline my ear to Your consistent and persistent voice, always delighting in Your Word. Grant me the ability to hear You and the power to turn away from my agenda and distractions and attune to Your still, small voice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.