Togo Makes the Front of the Pack
“His master replied, ‘well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share the master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:21 (NIV)
You are about to read a most delightful devotion from God’s Encouraging Word. Perhaps you will find yourself in this real-life adventure—maybe, at times, you are Togo or the musher. Peggy Frezon (All God’s Creatures) has shared a moment in history with a deep life lesson of reliability.
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One weekend I took my granddaughters to the library to meet sled dogs and hear the story of Togo, a young husky who, in 1925, led a team of dogs to deliver lifesaving serum in Alaska. We patted gray-and-white dogs, who were compact, energetic, and agile. One dog represented Togo. An actor dressed in heavy furs played the part of Leonhard Seppala, the musher. “Togo was a young mischief-maker when I first got him,” the actor said. “He wouldn’t listen to me or do as I said, so I put him in the back of the pack, where I could keep an eye on him.”
I thought of my relationship with God. When He asks something of me, do I hesitate or balk? When I sometimes forget to listen, does He have to keep an eye on me?
“Then Togo began to demonstrate his capabilities! He was fast and determined, so I put him in the middle of the pack,” the man continued, scratching the dog’s head.
It seemed like this is where I was on my journey—in the middle of the pack, wondering which way to go, yet trying to be obedient to God.
“Finally, when it came time for the important journey, Togo became my lead dog. He had proven that he was strong and able to make good decisions.” The actor demonstrated by hitching the dog to a rope at the front of the pack. The dog wagged his tail happily.
This was where I strive to be in life’s journey—in a position of reliability, making good decisions, cheerfully following God’s directions, without doubt or question.
It turned out that Togo had traveled 260 miles in treacherous conditions, valiantly leading the sled dog team. Could it be because the musher trusted him and he trusted the musher?
Lord and Master, Almighty God, I long to be obedient and show You that I am dependable and strong. I trust You. Help me to be worthy of a place in Your pack. AMEN.
*The pic is the real Togo (1925) with his musher.