100 Meter Dash

I was reading from Aristotle's "Ethics" today and I came across this passage, "Hence the young man is not a fit student of Moral Philosophy, for he has no experience in the actions of life, while all that is said presupposes and is concerned with these: and in the next place, since he is apt to follow the impulses of his passions, he will hear as though he heard not, and to no profit, the end in view being practice and not mere knowledge." Now what Aristotle is getting at in the larger picture is that we should define a certain point or goal that we wish to achieve, and only once this goal has been set can we move forward in life. He is asserting that young men (such as myself) should not strive to form their own ideas, but rather to learn from those who have gone before them.

As I was reading that I thought of the passage in the book of Matthew which says "This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand." Matthew 13:13-14

How many times in life do we think that we are ready for something, but in reality we are fooling ourselves? Jesus knew that the people he was speaking to were not ready for deep seated theological conversations, but he also knew that only those who were truly receptive to his words would be given the power to understand what he was saying.

God is continually speaking to us, sometimes in the smallest details of life, sometimes with something more substantial. In our fast paced, iphone addicted, Facebook addled world we are more focused on keeping up with the Jones's than we are with keeping our relationship with God right. God is always there, waiting for us to open up and be receptive to his words, but we put him off and tell ourselves that we will get to our devotional time later, but then never do.

Now, i know that all of this has been said before, and it will definitely be said again, but we are in a culture that is devaluing religion in favor of more profane activities.

The Apostle Paul writes "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24

If we keep our eyes set on earthly things, then our prize will be the things of this earth. The traditional theologian would tell you that the prizes of this earth are despair, being unfulfilled, and things like that, but I have a different opinion. I have had many friends who can only be described as "happy pagans". These people aren't religious, they live very fulfilled (in their opinion) lives through their work and their families, and the small things in life bring them joy. So if they keep their eyes focused on these earthly pursuits then that is what they will receive on this earth. . . . but then one day they will die and lose all of it.

Those who keep their eye fixed on the prize that Paul is talking about; Jesus, will receive all that he has to offer, which is so much more than the earth can give. Jesus offers us joy, peace, fulfillment, a treasure that will not pass away or be eaten by moths, a friend to the friendless and all of those trite expressions you've heard in church. Those who follow God will one day live with him in paradise.

This is all just a thought, do with it as you will, but I would recommend running harder and further than you ever have, because in this race there is no prize for second place.

Have a great day, and God Bless.