(This post is not about Doctor Who, but it does hinge on a phrase which is a bit of a spoiler in David Tennant’s first season, episode “School Reunion.” Sorry about that.)
I think I’m finally finding my place in the Body of Christ. I’m the tin dog.
Quick explanation: 
in the late seventies and early eighties the Doctor (main character in the series “Doctor Who”) traveled at times with a robot dog named (uncreatively) K-9. K-9 functioned as a sort of mobile laboratory, defense unit, and very, very straight man to a few jokes. He was the stereotypical robot in some respect; his “yes” was always “affirmative” and his “no” was always “negative.” There have been a few different models of K-9, and one was given to a companion named Sarah Jane Smith. In this episode I saw this weekend, Sarah Jane and K-9 get to be part of the action again, and it’s more than little bittersweet. I’m such a fanboy. More on this episode here.
In the new series, Rose’s boyfriend Mickey doesn’t travel with them (until the end of this episode, I guess), but he is some kind of computer hacker and all-around goofy earthling guy who sometimes gets the dirty jobs.
There is a great moment when, after Mickey asks about “the tin dog,” Sarah Jane asks him where he fits into the Doctor’s “entourage” now. His response is one of the best quotes ever:
Me… I’m their man in Havana! I’m the technical support. I’m the… Oh my God… I’m the tin dog!
And finally we get around to the reason why I am posting this. I’ve been thinking about my place in the church all weekend, and it struck me that my gifts, at this stage in my life… all point to my being the tin dog. I’m the technical support. I’m the very-straight man. I’m not terribly creative, but on good days I can remember things. I am sometimes terse almost to the point of being sarcastic:
[Mickey has reactivated K9]
Mickey Smith: Okay, no time to explain, we need to get inside the school. Do you have, like, I don’t know, a lock picking device?
K9: We are in a car.
Mickey Smith: Maybe a drill attachment?
K9: We are in a car.
Mickey Smith: Fat lot of good you are
K9: We are in a car.
Mickey Smith: Wait a second. We’re in a car.
[shouts]
Mickey Smith: Get back!
Mickey Smith: [crashes car through main doors]
I’m the web guy. I’m the podcaster. I’m the backup. I’m the research assistant (sometimes). Two Sundays ago I was preaching on the impact of imputed righteousness on sanctification. Last week I was answering questions about Kabbalah. This week I’ll be leading a discussion about contextualizing without compromising the gospel.
Can I accept the role that God has given to me at this time, humbly and conscious that only God’s power in my life enables me to accomplish anything, and that only through faith do my works please Him?
Affirmative.
2 Comments
I’d like to add another K-9 like quality in Charlie: if I try to punch Charlie straight on (not that I’ve ever had any reason to), I’m really punching into a wall of K-9 steel! My fists crack like eggshells against his rock solid, adamantine abdomen. He’s unbreakable.
Speaking of TV shows, by any chance have you been watching BSG 3.0? I wasn’t too impressed with the double season opener. But the Exodus series was a little better. Any thoughts?
I don’t really know much about the show apart from reading capsule summaries here and there. But based on the little I do know, and if anyone doesn’t mind, could I get dibs on the telephone booth? I believe it’s called the TARDIS?
Anyway, I think that’s what I would be in the Doctor Who universe.
* For instance, I’m good at disappearing during a crisis situation and reappearing elsewhere, far away from said situation, and from any action.
* Also, I’m not at all hip or trendy, and on the outside, my attire probably appears as dated as does the TARDIS. I’m anachronistic in all the ways that make one cringe.
* If someone tries to use me for my intended purpose, i.e. to make a telephone call, that’s hardly what such a person will get.
* Sure, I heat up and glow, but I think that’s ‘cos I had too many bean burritos.
* I may appear bigger on the inside than on the outside, but it’s pretty much just empty space.
* I break down a lot. Sniff.
* My vocabulary is limited to like a few words which I repeat over and over again.
* Same goes for my ideas.
And so on.