The Bloodhound Personality

The bloodhound is famous for its tracking skills. Once it catches a scent, it will not stop until the trail ends.

But it is more than a relentless tracker. Loyal, affectionate, and often stubborn, the bloodhound wins hearts with its persistence. That same stubbornness can be both a strength and a weakness.

Highly intelligent and perceptive, the bloodhound is fully aware of its surroundings until its nose picks up a scent. Then, the world narrows. The chase takes over.

This relentless nature is why judges and police officers trust the bloodhound. Once it is on task, it finishes what it started.

If the bloodhound could speak, perhaps it would say,
“Whatever captures my interest gets my full devotion.”

But even the noblest pursuits come with a warning.

When Focus Blinds Us

The future can pull us away from the present.

Even good goals can distract us from what matters most.

When a bloodhound locks onto a scent, its ears drop, its eyes fold under its skin, and it charges forward with single-minded focus.

The chase feels urgent. The devotion feels noble.
But the bloodhound is now blind to everything else, including danger.

That is why it needs the steady voice of its master to call it back before it goes too far.

And so do we.

Martha’s Chase

Martha was not chasing a scent. She was chasing approval.

“But Martha was cumbered about much serving…” (Luke 10:40)

The word cumbered means weighed down, distracted, or pulled in too many directions.

Martha let her serving pull her away from Jesus. When she finally spoke, she tried to pull Jesus into her frustration.

Her heart was busy but not fruitful.

Like a bloodhound on the wrong trail, Martha believed her pursuit was right. But Jesus called her back with words that were both gentle and true.

Choosing What Cannot Be Taken Away

We do the same.

We chase after urgent things that leave us drained.
We set our hearts on goals that promise peace but deliver pressure.
We hold on to burdens that were never ours to carry.

Then Jesus speaks, as He did to Martha:

Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good part, and it will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:41-42)

Every heart makes a choice.
We either chase what fades or we choose what lasts.

A Heart Check

Let us ask ourselves:

• What am I chasing today?
• Have I let distractions lead me away from His voice?
• Am I inviting Jesus into my agenda instead of asking for His?
• Where do I need to refocus my heart?

Jesus promised, “Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Luke 11:9)

The question is not whether He will answer.
The real question is whether we are listening.

Sometimes, a gentle correction is the hand that saves us from a dead end.

A Time to Reflect

Step back. Take a look at where you are headed.

Ask yourself,
Have I chosen what cannot be taken away?