The Race Set Before Us

In my dream, I saw this man running… a man who, I thought, had it all together. Viewing his life from my perspective gave me every reason to be jealous of his achievements. Then, my vision turned introspective—the symbolism revealed. My dream was a life lesson. I could see that the man was running blindly into a fog, not knowing what lay just ahead, or where he was going. A question struck me: Had he considered, or did he have any certainty about his final destination, or was he just doing his best to run a good race. I know that I have been consumed by my race at times, we all have. Some call it the “rat race.”

So where is your race taking you? This is a question that begs an answer from every person: Does our final destination really matter? Isn’t our time on earth all there is anyway? Do we really just return to dust when it’s all over—that’s it? Some would also ask: Shouldn’t we have to answer for how we lived on this earth?

I think most people have asked this multi-part question. It is the fundamental question of all time. It has driven mankind to the ends of the earth, and beyond, to find its answer. Incredibly, the truth about questions concerning life after death—God and eternity—where did we come from, and why are we here, is very close by. The answers are made known to each person’s heart as he or she diligently seeks to know Him. God promises in His word that if we will seek Him with a true heart, we will find Him.

According to the Bible, God wrote the preeminent question into our spiritual DNA. Why was it written there?—So we would seek to know Him. In fact, we are compelled to search out and find God. In the Book of Romans 1:19-21, the Apostle Paul explains it this way: “They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. Ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks.”

The refusal to take a step towards knowing God has driven mankind on a relentless pursuit to find an alternative answer to life’s most pressing question. Why have so many people chosen to refuse God, or even give Him thanks? I believe this is why: If God really does exist, and He is who He says He is, then a person inherently knows he or she is responsible to Him, therefore must submit to Him and live according to His precepts. In short, having to acknowledge God has serious consequences. That means we will have to stand before Him in the afterlife to give an account. Acknowledging God, and, Jesus, His provision for Salvation, is difficult for most people.

God has set a race before us, His race. Heb 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I can only give my perspective concerning the runner in my dream, who was blindly running into the unknown. For me, it is comforting to know where I’m going, and Who I will see when I get there.

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