Philippians 3 and "Doggy Doo-dy"

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. . ." (Philippians 3:8-10 ESV)

I was meditating on this passage while doing my daily "doggy doo-dy." I say daily, because I have 2 good-sized dogs ( 1 black Labrador and 1 retriever-Chow mix) and want to be a good neighbor. . .

Anyway, I spend that time each day talking to the Lord, and we have some rather interesting conversations. Why would this passage, in particular, come to mind during this particular job? Take the word "rubbish" in the above passage -- the Greek word is more closely translated "dung or refuse" than just the polite gum wrappers or popcicle sticks or used tissues we may toss in the garbage bin. The very "doggy doo-doo" that I deal with daily (as in, where to dispose of it; how to eradicate the smell; how to keep it off my shoes!) is the same "rubbish" that Paul claims his pedigree as a Jew, his standing as a Pharisee, his ability to keep rules and regulations, his passion for causes -- is in comparison to knowing Christ.

Friends, "doggy doo-doo" is disgusting! I don't much like cleaning toilets, but at least the waste flushes away. As mommies we all endured dirty diapers. I have NO trouble disposing of such in the waste bin. There is no temptation to store it, to hang on to it, to wish I could keep it. And yet Paul said that ANYTHING that hindered him from an intimate relationship with Christ -- ANYTHING -- he considered "doo-doo rubbish" to be eradicated from his life.

And, here came the interesting conversation. . .what keeps me from "knowing Christ, and the power of His resurrection, and. . .share His sufferings. . .?" If my computer time (and TV time) is more important to me than my time with the Lord, what are my actions saying? Am I choosing to store away or keep safe the rubbish that I should be willing to disgard without longing after it, or thinking, "wow, I really sacrificed here!" Can you even imagine for a moment, as you throw away that dirty diaper or that pile on the lawn, thinking, "oh, I sure wish I didn't have to give this up; it's really hard!"

What about my house? job? children? garden? shopping? hobbies? car? geographic location? achievements? popularity? (you can insert your "things" here ________) If anything is coming between me and knowing my Lord better (and by that I mean, not just saying the words, but do my actions and attitudes demonstrate that they are more important to me than my relationship with God) am I willing to repent and adjust my life to restore the correct priorities, or do I want to cling to that "pile" and make it smell better and find some way to keep it around, flies and all?

Let's get rid of the "doo-doo!" It stinks, it draws disease-infested flies, and it's nothing but rubbish! Knowing Christ, gaining Christ, is so much better. . .