You can tell a lot about a person when they answer the question of whether they are a dog or cat person. There are certain characteristics that go with both of those animals that tend to be the exact opposite of the other. Dogs want to be loved any time they can get it, but cats want love strictly on their own time. Cats have a mind of their own and Dogs learn from their owners how they should mind. I can probably think of many more examples where they are different, but you get the idea. We can learn a lot about a person when they choose which pet they prefer. And if they are one of the weirdos that prefers neither, you realize that they obviously are missing some part of their soul and need prayer. Jokes aside, I believe there are even biblical examples of this question that prove true. I should admit beforehand that I’m a dog person, so this next part may seem a bit biased. In my defense though, I believe I am rightly dividing the word of truth.
At the end of Luke 10, there is a short story of two sisters named Mary and Martha. They’d just opened up their home to some very important guests and Martha was running all over the place. Mary, on the other hand, has made herself comfortable right in front of the most important guest, Jesus. This doesn’t bode well with Martha though because, just like any sibling relationship, the chores need to be evenly shared or you call them out on it. Martha, being wise beyond her years, decides she will bypass the argument and just address it with the one who is at the center of Mary’s attention. This is the point where I feel Jesus tells Martha she’s a cat person. The original text reads in verse 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” What does that have to do with being a cat person you might ask? If I’m being honest, not too much scriptural, but for the sake of my illustration I will attempt to add a little interpretation.
When we look at the current situation that Martha and Mary are in, we see a lot of similarities in our own lives. There are points where we are concerned with what we want to get done. There are other points in our lives where we are consumed by only what needs to be done. It’s not my place to tell you what you want, but we all know exactly what we need every single day. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.." (Matthew 6:33). In this instance, Martha was a lot like a cat because she was distracted by what she wanted. Regardless of who was in the room or what everyone else was doing, Martha had a mind of her own (just like a cat). Jesus tells her this very point and reminds her of what she needs all in two sentences. The truth is that when we realize we need God first and foremost we not only get something that can’t be taken from us, but we get so many other things added as a benefit. Regardless of which kind of pet you prefer, we can all agree that making God and the things of God a priority is the most important choice. When your Martha wants start to get the best of you, remember to be a bit more like Mary and focus on what you need. Seek first his kingdom.
Your fellow dog person,
Coburn Hoffman
At the end of Luke 10, there is a short story of two sisters named Mary and Martha. They’d just opened up their home to some very important guests and Martha was running all over the place. Mary, on the other hand, has made herself comfortable right in front of the most important guest, Jesus. This doesn’t bode well with Martha though because, just like any sibling relationship, the chores need to be evenly shared or you call them out on it. Martha, being wise beyond her years, decides she will bypass the argument and just address it with the one who is at the center of Mary’s attention. This is the point where I feel Jesus tells Martha she’s a cat person. The original text reads in verse 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” What does that have to do with being a cat person you might ask? If I’m being honest, not too much scriptural, but for the sake of my illustration I will attempt to add a little interpretation.
When we look at the current situation that Martha and Mary are in, we see a lot of similarities in our own lives. There are points where we are concerned with what we want to get done. There are other points in our lives where we are consumed by only what needs to be done. It’s not my place to tell you what you want, but we all know exactly what we need every single day. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.." (Matthew 6:33). In this instance, Martha was a lot like a cat because she was distracted by what she wanted. Regardless of who was in the room or what everyone else was doing, Martha had a mind of her own (just like a cat). Jesus tells her this very point and reminds her of what she needs all in two sentences. The truth is that when we realize we need God first and foremost we not only get something that can’t be taken from us, but we get so many other things added as a benefit. Regardless of which kind of pet you prefer, we can all agree that making God and the things of God a priority is the most important choice. When your Martha wants start to get the best of you, remember to be a bit more like Mary and focus on what you need. Seek first his kingdom.
Your fellow dog person,
Coburn Hoffman
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