Imagine for just a moment how the citizens of heaven must perceive those of us in the world. Dashing about in a race to the top; the world is consumed by the necessity of winning.
When is a win really a win, or do we even have a clue in regards to real winning? And should we trust ourselves to define something that is clearly, ‘not clear’? So, if we can’t trust ourselves then who or what do we look to for guidance?
Certainly, we can’t look to the world because in many cases those who are winners from the world’s point of view, are in reality, the biggest losers of all!
So let’s start by asking God what he thinks. Luke 12:15 says; “Beware! Don’t always be wishing for what you don’t have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are”.
Speaking of life, in a play by Shakespeare the character Macbeth said; “Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury. Signifying nothing”. And in sound and fury, as the dust settles, we can hear a sound like thunder pounding and roaring and shaking the earth beneath our feet. And as we look, we find ourselves inside of a fire breathing dragon! Its teeth gleam like polished silver, and its colors are like a mirror of the deep blue sea. Its eyes are like fire and its tail stares at you with red demon eyes. Its voice is a deep growl that roars like an earthquake. It crouches down like a tiger, ready to strike.
Its wings are spread wide, inviting you in for the ride of life and death. It is beautiful and evil at the same time. You can’t help but to look into its reflection and touch its gleaming body. It wants your complete loyalty, and will settle for nothing less.
Smoke billows from beneath and shrouds the firelight as the thundering sounds become more powerful. It is at a fevers pitch, as if a imminent explosion is poised and being held back by something or someone.
And this someone is you! As if you are holding the button down with your thumb, just waiting for the exact moment to unleash hell! The race is about to begin, and the supernatural hot rods are lined up and stretching around the globe, and about to launch into a race to the finish line.
The diseased minds of the drivers have lost the ability to understand what ‘true’ winning really is. It isn’t who crosses the finish line first, its where the finish line is. With no sense of direction you might go south, instead of north!
And while inside the clutches of misdirected passion, the drivers no longer are controlling, but are being controlled by the beautiful sound and fury of the dragon racers.
An object that once had no life, now has more power over you than anything living. You worship it, you lovingly wipe it, and you will spend you last dollar maintaining it. You have given your soul over the inanimate, and rejected the animate.
Then suddenly the flag is unexpectedly dropped, and the whole world is racing toward a finish line. But there is chaos because the location of the finish line is not clear to them, and in many cases, unknown. Panic sets in, and the hot rods begin to crash into one another, with some speeding in one direction, and others in a different direction.
Some believe that blocking the way of others will increase their chance of finding the finish line, so they begin to crash into one another and fight among themselves. Killing breaks out all over the world. Some believe the finish line is in one place and others think it is somewhere else. Rumors of where different finish lines are spread like wildfire, and lead many to run over the edge of a cliff to their death, and others simply crash into trees or buildings and burst into flames. But others escape the bonds of the child seat and jump to their freedom, forever leaving behind the trail of broken and rusty parts strewn about by the Hot Rod from hell.
What will save us from the things of this world? What object can we bow down to, and what thing or person can we rely upon when we are desperate for answers that we can’t comprehend? Nothing from the physical world can save you from yourself! You will always be your own worst enemy!
The shiny things of this world are only the millstone that you carry around your neck, and eventually it will drag you under. Only the power that brings you life can offer a future, the same power that makes you who you are.
Think of it for just a moment; without the spark that starts the flame that makes you have life, nothing else matters! So how do we win the battle and find the finish line?
There is only one way to eternal life. Renounce everything of this world. And why not? Just look at yourself, what are you really? I know; you are a shiny new car, everything is brand new. It smells new and drives new, and looks so cool! But soon the car gets its first dent, and then a chip, and then the tires wear out. And if you don’t take care of it, it will fall apart and leave you stranded.
You once were so beautiful and strong, and now you are beginning to fall apart. Your youth has been replaced by dents, dings and a broken muffler. And soon you will be sent to a wrecking yard where youth and newness is nothing more than a memory.
Proof that the physical world is only a short term allusion of being a winner. We were all born losers because our sinful bodies will, sooner or later, turn on us and become the enemy. The future holds nothing for those who worship the rotting things of the physical world.
Temporary as it is, we must maintain and keep our bodies at their best so we can serve God until he allows us to be freed from the prison of this body. So step away from being a winner, because we must become the biggest losers of all to become the greatest winners.
Just remember; the real world is not where you are now. The real world is outside the body and no longer part of the brick and steel of this cold and unforgiving planet.
Which thing would you choose? The promise of sickness, disease, hatred, death, suffering and fighting from start to finish, to only lose your life at the end of your battle? Or the promise of living forever in youth and health and happiness?
In this crazy world, winning is nothing you think it is and everything you don’t. So unbuckle your seat belt and bail out of the race toward nothingness, because at the end of the line, there will be nothing of this life that you can pack and take with you. Not one thing! No money, no clothing, no family, no friends, no pets, no home, no car, no food and not even your body can be carried through the gated walls of heaven.
When and if your spirit arrives at the gate, God will be there waiting to re-create you again. He made you once, and he will make you again. Only now everything you thought you were, will be far greater. God will supply everything, and this world will just be a giant mud hole when compared to the splendor of your true riches.
God will love you in a way that you have never felt, and you will love him in a way you never thought possible. Then the real feeling of winning the ultimate race to the finish will be yours to enjoy forever. And true praise will come from the highest authority ……..’God’.