Seeking God’s Kingdom

It is interesting the extent people are willing to go to “make it big.” Whether it be big money, big fame, big house, big car—you name it—as long as it has “big” attached, it is highly sought after.

Reminds me of the steel rabbit on rails used in dog races to keep them running in the right direction. Time and again the same dogs chase after the same steel rabbit, never quite able to catch it, but never ceasing to give up either. It is a futile endeavor to chase after it but one which always entices full participation.

As bystanders, we may even recognize the futility and even laugh a bit about the stupidity of the dogs—but then again, humans have a tendancy to do the very same thing. When you look at the great lengths people will go to in order to gamble on winning a big lottery or the deep debt people will crawl in to in order to up their neighbors one, it is easy to see how many people line up every day to chase the uncatchable steel rabbit.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, recognized after living a futile life how worthless and meaningless it all turns out to be. Ecclesiates 2:26 records his thoughts in this way: “To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (NIV).

People spend their lives chasing the wind—chasing after futile things—only to discover it was all done in vain. When its all said and done, all one has is disappointment. When we place our desires upon the things of this world, we will always end up short-changed and disappointed. The Psalmist encourages us to delight ourselves in the Lord (Psalm 37:4). Jesus tells us to seek after the kingdom of GOD and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

The world’s hope is no hope at all. Focus on Jesus and upon heavenly treasures. Quit seeking after the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and start seeking after the kingdom of GOD and the rewards eternity has in store for the faithful.