Consumed by Him
Pam Smith rounded the track of Placer High School in Auburn California and gazed upon the finish line. The sky was black, but the track shone under the luminous glow of the lights high above. A cheer went out from the crowd as she crossed the finish line 18 hours and 37 minutes after she began. On this day, Pam achieved a victory that was 20 years in the making, she completed the Western States 100 mile run in first place among the women.
Pam began running in high school and then continued on to run in college. Following college she participated in regular road races and then moved on to marathons and finally to ultra-marathons. She participated in the Western States 100 the previous three years with her best finish in 47th place. She was determined to do better.
In the months leading up to the race she awoke at 4:20 am each weekday to increase her weekly mileage to nearly 100 miles. She changed her diet to maximize her performance and she began mentally preparing herself for the problems that are likely to arise in a race of such a length. Her determined pursuit was deeply rewarded when she crossed the line in first place among the women.
It is wonderful when we achieve a goal which we have diligently pursued and the goal Pam Smith achieved is truly remarkable. Yet there are many other pursuits we all long for, but are even harder to achieve. We pursue peace, freedom, security, contentment, and joy. We all desire these things, but sadly in this world they are all too fleeting. We strive for peace only to have it interrupted by the turmoil of life, we seek freedom only to discover it is never complete, we build wealth for security, but it cannot secure what is most important. We fill our lives with comfort and entertainment to bring us happiness, but the happiness we experience is never enduring.
The truth is that nothing in this world offers complete fulfillment. Like everything else on earth, even our greatest blessings are only temporary. That is not the case in the Kingdom of Heaven. Psalm 84:10 reminds us, “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” In the Kingdom of heaven there is uninterrupted peace, freedom from death, certain security, enduring contentment, and overflowing joy. In the Kingdom of God death is no more, pain is no more, and if there are any tears in heaven, they are tears of joy. Repent of your sins, put your faith in Jesus, and you can be assured that you will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. Mark 1:15, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel”.
Father, you have established an eternal Kingdom that will never end. All things on earth will one day pass away, but you and your word will remain. Too often I am focused on the things of this world. Too often I put my hope in what will ultimately fail. Help me to pursue your Kingdom first. Help me to set my heart on the Kingdom of Heaven and rest in your promise of eternal life through your Son Jesus Christ.
What are the top three things in my life that I am pursuing? In what ways am I pursuing the Kingdom of Heaven? Why is the Kingdom of Heaven worth more than everything I have on earth?
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