Shake It Off

When something gets on my dogs (water, bugs, etc.), they will often shake in order to get it off.  It is funny to watch a dog shake.  It generally starts with their head, moves to their midsection, and ends with their tail.  Dozsar was shaking off something when I snapped this picture.


Scientists have studied this action and determined that the smaller the dog, the faster they must shake to dry off.  Why someone would need (or want) to study this, I don't know.  But, it is funny to watch.  Nevertheless, there is a real, biological reason why dogs shake off water.  It is necessary to regulate their body temperature.  They need to get free of whatever is on them because it can be dangerous to them.

We, too, need to shake things off.  Paul instructed that we to lay aside every weight and sin that can tie us down.  We need to break free of the sin that holds us down and can be dangerous to us, too.  I also remember the Bible story of Samson.  Samson was known for his strength.  He was a Judge in Israel, but he was also a mighty warrior.  Unfortunately, Samson often got bogged down with sin.  His tendency to succumb to sin eventually caught up with him.  When he revealed the source of his strength to Delilah, she cut his hair and his enemies (the Philistines) came to capture him.  Samson thought he could shake himself free like he had always done.

And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.  Judges 16:20

Unfortunately, this time he had gone too far.  His sin caught up with him and the Lord departed from him.  Be sure your sin will find you out!  Nevertheless, his hair begin to grow.  As we read the story, God gave him one last opportunity but it cost him his life.  In his death, he killed more Philistines than he did during his lifetime.

The sad thing about this story is the tragic end.  It sounds heroic but it is really tragic.  But, it didn't have to end this way.  Even though he would shake himself free, he found himself encumbered again and again in sin, until it finally cost him his life.  God still used him, but what a tragic way to go.

The same is true for us.  We often leave the sin that entangles us only to return - like a dog does to its vomit (don't worry, I won't post a picture of that).  We may get away with it for a while, but it will catch up with us.  We need to shake free from sin, never to return.  Sampson learned the hard way.  Let's learn from his example.