Rev Jim Rea: The modern parable of Jamie the dog and need for repentance

Tom and I were regular coffee goers. Thinking about him recently I could not help but recall his story about Jamie.

In case you are wondering, Jamie was a mixed breed collie; Tom’s daughter was a softy for animals so she couldn’t resist when she found this stray dog wandering outside Belfast’s Castle Court. Despite her efforts, the former owners never claimed the dog.

When Tom’s daughter went on holiday he became Jamie’s carer. He told me how one day he took the wee dog to the Whiterocks beach near Portrush. Jamie, an expert at retrieving a ball, was soon put into action. However, when the ball went into the water Jamie followed.

Suddenly, a large wave came in and washed the ball further out to sea with Jamie in hot pursuit. As the ball went out further and further, Jamie was not to be beaten, and he swam further out. Tom watched in absolute panic,fearing the dog was going to be lost. Then, suddenly, Jamie turned around and returned to him on the beach. The ball was lost, but the wee dog was safe.

That morning, Tom and I ruminated on the incident. It was really a modern parable. When in life does the penny drop, when we reflect and say that something has gone too far? “The cost is too great, I need to turn back, I need to walk away.”

In my experience on numerous occasions I have watched people reach this crisis point. Some with addictions, others realising that what they are doing will ultimately lead to their destruction.

One of the best known stories told by Jesus is about a young man who left his home with money for the bright lights, only to discover himself in a pigsty. Then it dawned on him: things have gone too far. I am going back home. The penny dropped.

Significantly, the word repentance in the Bible simply means admitting that you are wrong, seeking forgiveness and turning around and going in a new direction, only to find the liberating power of God.

St Peter, in a sermon to the early church, puts it better than I could, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

No matter how bad things are, true repentance, turning around, and faith in Christ, bring hope.