We were created by God, in His image, for a purpose. Just as God set apart each one of us from birth for a specific purpose, he also has a specific plan for your life. In Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV), it says "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end".
Each day, we choose how we invest our time and effort on something. Long hours are spent on many pressing issues daily. But if we try to look carefully at these moments, are they carefully applied to the pursuits which will make a lasting difference in our lives for a year from now or maybe for a longer period of time perhaps?
Our success in life's race depends on your reason for running. There was a story that tells of a fox that stumbled upon a hare. Very fast and determined, the fox chased the hare over many miles. Finally, exhausted and helpless, the fox gave-up. A by-stander who happened to witnessed the race mocked the loser. Indignantly the fox replied, "You forget that it is one thing to run for your dinner and another to run for your life."
So many of us are "running for our dinner." However, our only highest goal is to provide for the body's needs and pleasures. In Isaiah 22:13 (KJV) - "And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die" describes a pervasive view of life today.
However, in James 4:14 (KJV) it says that "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away", for our bodies will fail and fail far too soon. In Matthew 16:26 (KJV) - For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? "
We all know in our hearts that we have sinned. Even if we have never read a Bible or do not understand what it means, we know that we are sinners, because God created each of us with a conscience. When we do something wrong to someone, our conscience lets us know we have done wrong.
Jesus encourages us when He says, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed" John 6:27 (KJV) .
The will of God! This alone should fill and satisfies us. In Matthew 6:31-32 (KJV) it says "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things".
Don't just run for your dinner, run for your everlasting life. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. - Matthew 6:33 (KJV).
