Not Dogs

When living in Asia, we are aware to be on the lookout for fake food.  It’s a real problem.  Rice could actually be plastic or paper, eggs could actually be a resin compound, and honey may just be corn syrup.   As horrible as that all sounds, I have to admit that there’s some “fake food” in America too, but at least it’s edible.  Here’s what I mean.

Recently, we’ve been trying to adopt a more plant based diet. I’ve got “rice” that’s actually cauliflower,  “noodles” made from zucchini, and Impossible “Burgers” in my freezer.  I’ve got “yogurt” made from cashews and “milk” made from almonds in my fridge.  My latest purchase was a “hot dog” made of tofu and blended spices.  I like to call it a Not Dog.  When you put it in a bun and bury it under condiments, you can barely tell the difference!  

All these fake foods have one thing in common…they appear to be one thing on the outside, but are something else entirely on the inside.  

In Scripture, you could make the case that Judas was the biggest Not Dog in history.   On the outside? A devoted disciple.  On the inside?  A treacherous traitor.  But before I congratulate myself on not being like “that guy”,  maybe I should consider…

Am I… a Not Dog?  

Do I sometimes smile and act like everything is great, when actually I’m hurting inside? Not Dog!  Have I ever been in church singing a worship song, but my mind is wandering somewhere else?  Not Dog!  Have I ever tried to go along with a crowd, hide my beliefs and who I am in Christ, preferring to just not say anything “controversial”?  Not Dog!   

Hmmm…I guess if we’re honest, we’ve all been a Not Dog at one time or another.  I guess it’s human nature to want to appear better than we actually are.  But with Christ, we don’t have to.  

In fact, I’m reminded of this verse:

“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬