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Mar 30, 2025 06:00am

The Master

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My husband, Brian, loves to rabbit hunt. He’ll be the first to tell you it’s not the actual hunting that he loves most, but the camaraderie it fosters with his friends and the deep connection it brings to God’s beautiful outdoors. It’s the shared stories, the laughter, and the quiet moments in nature that truly fuel his passion.

Several years ago, Brian owned a beagle hound that wasn’t living up to his expectations as a hunting dog. A local man expressed interest in the hound, so Brian decided to sell the dog to him. Before finalizing the sale, Brian gave the man some advice: take the beagle home, spend time bonding with him, feed him, pet him, and keep him penned for a few days so the dog could adjust to his new owner. He warned the man not to take the dog out to hunt immediately, especially not to shoot a gun over him. The beagle was gun-shy, and such an experience would frighten him into running away.

Undeterred by Brian’s caution, the man took the hound several miles away, across the White River, and released him in a field to hunt. Hours passed, and the dog was nowhere to be found. He had vanished and would not return to his new owner. A few days later, the man came back, frustrated, and demanded a refund. Grieved but honorable, Brian returned the money, leaving him without both the dog and the payment.

Then, much to our surprise, a few weeks later, the beagle came walking back into our yard. He had journeyed miles upon miles, even swimming across the wide and deep White River to get back to his home. That dog was determined to get back in fellowship with his master! And he was looking for all the blessings that came from his master: food, water, shelter, safety, and companionship.

When that beagle returned, I was struck by the parallel to our own spiritual journeys. How often do we stray from our Master? We venture out into the world, trying to make it on our own. We ignore His instructions and guidance, convinced we know better. We think we can handle life by ourselves, sometimes even taking direction from the world as if it’s our master. But when the briars grow sharp, the skies darken, and the nights turn cold, we realize how much we need Him.

You see, Brian hadn’t moved. He hadn’t changed. He remained in the same place, providing food, water, shelter, safety, and companionship—all the things the dog needed. Not only that, but Brian had also bought the dog back, paying a price he didn’t owe. Sound familiar? 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” God has purchased you with His very own Son, paying a price for you that He didn’t even owe, simply because He loves you and wants to be your Master.

When that beagle decided to return home, nothing could stop him—not the miles, not the river, not even a worldly owner. He did whatever it took to find his master again. And much like God, his master was waiting for him with open arms. The dog was tired, fatigued, hungry, thirsty, and empty, but he knew he had to get back to his master to find rest, peace, and sustenance again. Sometimes God’s children are led astray by the world, and we end up tired, fatigued, and empty. But the Bible tells us that we can turn to God in our times of burden and emptiness. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

It’s comforting to know that nothing can separate us from the love of our Master, just as Romans 8:35-38 tells us. We may stray, but He is always there, waiting for us with open arms, full of love and blessings. All we have to do is make the choice to run back to Him.

The Master is waiting. Come home.