Have you ever noticed the difference between a dog and a cat when you come home?
A dog runs to the door — tail wagging — excited that the master has arrived.
A cat? The cat barely looks up. And if it does come over, it rubs against you as if to say, “Nice of you to return and serve me.”
This simple illustration leads to a deeper spiritual question: are we serving God or ourselves in the way we live out our faith?
Watch the video Illustration:
Here’s the joke:
A dog says:
“You feed me, love me, care for me — You must be God.”
A cat says:
“You feed me, love me, care for me — I must be God.”
Funny… but it exposes something serious.
This same mindset quietly shows up in how many Christians relate to God.
So let me ask the real question:
Is God at the center of your faith?
Or have you unknowingly placed yourself there?
The Core Idea
Here’s the heartbeat of this message:
God’s mission is God-centered — not me-centered.
And the way we understand salvation, prayer, Bible reading, and evangelism reveals whether we are living like cats… or dogs.
1. God’s Perspective — Who Is the Bible About?
Many Christians find Genesis chapter 1 boring. Why?
Because it’s not about us.
It’s entirely about God — creating, speaking, shaping, and filling the universe with His glory.
But when humans enter the story in Genesis chapter 3 — suddenly we’re interested.
So here’s the foundational question:
Who is the main character of the Bible?
Dog-minded faith says:
“God is the main character.”
Cat-minded faith lives as if:
“I am the main character.”
Scripture settles this clearly:
“All things were created by Him and for Him.”
— Colossians 1:16
Everything exists for God’s glory — including us.
2. Joining God’s Mission — The Salvation Prayer
This difference shows up immediately in how we present the gospel.
A cat-shaped salvation prayer stops short:
“Jesus forgive me. Save me so I don’t go to hell.”
That’s true — but incomplete.
A dog-shaped salvation prayer continues:
“Jesus, You are Lord. I surrender. Save me and make me new, so my life belongs to You.”
We are not only saved from sin —
We are saved for God’s glory.
Scripture says:
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation… and God has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17–20
Salvation isn’t just rescue.
It’s recruitment into God’s mission.
3. Assurance of Salvation
Cat assurance says:
“I prayed a prayer once.”
Dog assurance says:
“I love God. I desire Him. I want to follow Him.”
Not perfection — but direction.
A new heart produces new desires.
4. Worship, Bible Reading, and Personal Prayer
Worship:
Dog songs:
- Focus on God’s greatness.
Cat songs:
- Focus on me, my, I.
When a cat opens the Bible, the question is:
“What’s in this for me?”
When a dog opens the Bible, the question is:
“What does this show me about God?”
Cat prayer says:
“Bless me. Fix me. Help me. Protect me.”
Dog prayer says:
“Father, be glorified in my life. Use me. Send me.”
Same God.
Very different posture.
5. Ambassador of Christ — The Right Way to Evangelize
Here’s where this changes everything.
If salvation is about me, evangelism becomes getting others to repeat a prayer.
But if salvation is about God’s mission, evangelism becomes inviting others to:
Repent. Believe. Surrender. Follow.
Not just a moment —
A new identity.
Scripture says:
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…”
— 2 Corinthians 5:20
An ambassador doesn’t represent himself.
He represents the King.
6. Making an Eternal Impact — God’s Mission, Not Mine
A cat asks:
“How can God make my life safe, easy, and comfortable?”
A dog asks:
“How can my life make God known?”
That is the difference between living for my mission
and joining God’s mission.
God doesn’t exist for our mission.
We exist for His.
Closing Invitation
So here’s the real question:
Are you following God like a cat…
or like a dog?
Is your Christianity centered on your happiness…
or on God’s glory?
Because when we put God back at the center —
we find true purpose,
true joy,
and eternal impact.
Join the Journey
If you want to learn how to:
✔ Join God’s mission personally
✔ Walk in your identity as Christ’s ambassador
✔ Make an eternal impact
Visit GodOnMission.org to sign up for our newsletters.
Let’s co-labor in God’s mission —
and make an eternal impact.