Six months ago, we bought a puppy—a three-month-old bundle of energy. Now, six months into dog ownership, life has been busy, fun, and completely changed. One of my main goals has been to train this puppy well—essentially, to “raise a dog in the way it should go.” While doing so, I’ve discovered surprising lessons about following Jesus.

I recently read a book by a dog trainer named Doggy Dan, titled What the Dogs Taught Me About Being a Parent. He explains how training dogs taught him valuable parenting lessons. Inspired by that, I realised my dog has also taught me two key lessons about discipleship.

1. Trusting God’s Lead

One of my biggest challenges is stopping my dog from pulling on the lead during walks. She tugs in every direction—wanting to sniff here, explore there, and dart after anything that catches her attention. Meanwhile, I’m holding the leash, thinking, If you would just walk with me, I’d take you somewhere good!

Isn’t that how we are with God sometimes? Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.” God has a good path for us, but we often pull away, eager to follow our own desires. If only we trusted Him, He would lead us to peace, joy, and fulfilment.

2. Obeying When Called

Another goal for my puppy is to teach her to come when I call—every time, not just when she feels like it. Right now, she loves chasing seagulls on the beach. If I call her, she’ll sprint toward me… and then run right past like I don’t exist! I realise this is exactly how we sometimes treat Jesus.

Jesus calls us for a reason—to guide, protect, and lead us in love. Yet, how often do we rush past Him, distracted by our own plans? Just like I call my dog to keep her safe, Jesus calls us because He knows what’s best. Our greatest response is simple: obey.

Walking in Faith

If you’re a dog owner, you’ve likely experienced the joys and struggles of training a puppy. But beyond that, maybe God is using those moments to teach you something deeper. He wants to lead you beside still waters, to guide you on the right path, and to call you for a purpose.

The best thing we can do? Trust Him. Follow His lead. And when He calls, come running.

Hopefully, the next time you hear from me, my puppy will have made some progress. But in the meantime, may we all grow in walking faithfully with Jesus!

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva

We live in a world full of restlessness, fear, and instability. Yet, as Christians, Jesus offers us peace amidst it all. As Christians, not only do we have access to this peace, but we are also called to reflect it to others who are longing for stability and hope in a chaotic world.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Peace is one of the greatest gifts God gave to mankind. And it’s a gift we can share with those around us who are searching for meaning and rest. Yet, often we can feel far from peace. So how do we as Christians live from the place of peace that Jesus describes? Erwin McManus illustrates it well when he speaks about worship, and how genuine worship can create a shift of responsibility in our thinking.

When we are feeling overwhelmed by life, feeling the stress, anxiety, and the despair, McManus says it’s because we have taken on responsibility for things that we do not have the power to carry. So how do we shift the burden and draw on the peace Jesus offers?

Let it Go

Erwin explains when we take on the stressors it’s like we pitch a horizontal roof over our life. When the rain falls, it gets heavy and our roof collapses. Yet, if we shift our roof to be more vertical, aka, connect with God. It causes the rain to pour off to the side and water all the fields around it, growing a harvest that eventually bears fruit. When we live from a place of peace, it becomes evident to those around us. Our lives can spark curiosity and open doors for conversations about the source of our peace—Jesus.

Re-align

Worshipping God teaches our soul to shift our roof vertically. This helps us to re-align our internal narrative too, “This is bigger than me. This is not mine to bear. I’m going to give it to God.” which can provide a sense of peace even in the chaos. As you re-align and experience God’s peace, consider how you can gently point others to Him through your own example and words.

Practice

When the stressors of life start to take over your peace, practice the art of refining your soul worship so that when the rain comes, you can continue to be peacemakers who create fruit within the storm.

In practicing the art of resting in God’s peace, we not only nurture our own souls but also demonstrate to others the hope and security found in Jesus.

Who in your life might benefit from hearing about the peace that Jesus offers?

How are you practicing the art of resting in God’s peace in this season?

Article supplied with thanks to yesHEis.

About the Author: yesHEis provides various resources to help share your faith in relatable ways.

Feature image: Canva 

As Easter approaches, many of us are looking forward to a break from work, chocolate eggs, and hot cross buns.

But for Christians, Easter is much more than a public holiday, it’s the most important celebration of the year. For others, though, Easter might feel confusing or even irrelevant. So we had a chat to Pastor Adam Meredith, from Red Door Community Church, to unpack what Easter is really about and why it still matters today.

What is Easter All About?

Easter is at the heart of the Christian faith, says Adam. It tells the story of Jesus Christ’s journey to the cross, his crucifixion, his burial, and his resurrection on the third day.

“This story has stood the test of time. It’s not just an ancient tradition, it’s the foundation of Christian belief,” said Pastor Adam.

The Easter story is told over a series of key events that Christians call Holy Week:

• Holy Thursday: This commemorates the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples.
• Good Friday: This is the day Jesus was crucified and died on the cross.
• Easter Saturday: A day of quiet reflection as Jesus lay in the tomb.
• Easter Sunday: The day Jesus rose from the dead, a celebration of new life and victory over death.

“These traditional days help people connect with the deeper meaning of Easter,” said Adam. “They’re not just about remembering history, they invite us to reflect on what Jesus’ journey means for us today.”

Why Did Jesus Die?

For many people, especially those unfamiliar with Christian beliefs, the Easter story can raise big questions. One of the most common is: Why did Jesus have to die? And why in such a brutal way?

“It’s a great question,” Adam said. “The Christian faith teaches that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. That combination made him the only one capable of being the perfect sacrifice for humanity’s sin.”

He explains that sin is not just about individual wrongdoing. In the Bible, sin refers to a deeper problem, a separation between humans and God caused by our brokenness.

“All of us fall short of God’s perfection,” Adam said. “Jesus stepped in to bridge that gap. He took on the penalty of sin so we wouldn’t have to. That’s what happened on the cross.”

Because Jesus was sinless and innocent, his death carried the weight of justice and forgiveness. And his resurrection proved his victory over sin and death.

Is Easter Still Relevant Today?

For Christians, Easter is more than a historical event. It’s a present-day reality.

“The Easter story isn’t just something to understand in your head,” said Adam. “It’s something to receive in your heart. It’s personal.”

He explains that Jesus’ death and resurrection offer a pathway to a restored relationship with God, not just for people in the past, but for anyone today.

“If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus died for your sins and rose again… that’s the Christian message,” he said. “It’s about transformation. Something that happens in the human heart when we say yes to that truth.”

What About People Who Are Still Exploring?

Not everyone listening to the Easter story will immediately connect with it, and Pastor Adam acknowledges that faith is a journey.

“I can’t force someone to believe,” he said. “It has to be a free choice. All I can do is share the truth and invite people to respond.”

He encourages people who are curious to start by asking questions, even the ones that seem hard or uncomfortable.

“Faith begins with curiosity,” Adam said. “If you’re wondering if God is real, ask him. Pray a simple prayer like: God, if you’re real, show me. If this story about Jesus matters, help me understand why.”

Where Can You Learn More?

Pastor Adam understands that walking into a church can feel intimidating, especially for someone new to Christianity. That’s why he recommends the Alpha Course, a free, informal series designed to explore life, faith, and meaning in a safe and welcoming environment.

“Alpha is one of the best resources out there,” he said. “It’s designed for people who are exploring and want to ask honest questions. And no question is too simple or too tough.”

He also encourages people to talk to someone they know who’s a Christian: “Ask them, ‘Why do you believe?’ That conversation can be so powerful.”

Final Thoughts

Easter is more than a long weekend or a tradition. It’s a story of hope, sacrifice, and new life. And according to Pastor Adam, it’s a story that invites every one of us to respond.

“Jesus died for you. He rose again. And he wants a relationship with you,” he said. “That’s what makes Easter so powerful.”

If you’re curious about faith, have questions, or want to know more, consider checking out alpha.org.au, or simply reach out to someone you trust.

As Pastor Adam puts it, “You don’t need all the answers. Just start the journey.”

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Photo by Bill Gullo on Unsplash