SHARED BY MY PROFESSOR - LYN STAPLETON One day, a young pastor, who had some concerns for his congregation, visited the home of an elderly Christian. He had heard that this old man over all the years had never lost his first love for Christ.The elderly man was sitting on the porch with his dog taking in a beautiful sunset. The young man posed this question: "Why is it, sir, that most Christians zealously chase after God during the first year or two after their conversion, but then fall into a complacent ritual of church once or twice a week and end up not looking any different than their neighbors who aren’t even Christians? I have heard you are not like that. I have been told that you have fervently sought after God throughout all these years. People see something in you that they do not see in most other people. What makes you different?" The old man smiled and replied, "Let me tell you a story: One day I was sitting here quietly in the sun with my dog. Suddenly a large white rabbit ran across the field right in front of us. Well, my dog jumped up, and took off after that big rabbit. He chased the rabbit over the hills with a passion. Soon, other dogs joined him, attracted by his barking. What a sight it was, as the pack of dogs ran barking across the creeks, up the stony hillside, through thickets and through the thorns! Gradually, however, one by one, the other dogs dropped out of the pursuit. Some had become discouraged by the course; others were frustrated by the chase. Only my dog continued to hotly pursue the white rabbit." "In that story, young man, lies the answer to your question." The young man sat in confused silence. Finally, he said, "Sir, I don’t understand. What is the connection between the rabbit chase and the quest for God?" "You fail to understand," answered the faithful old man, "because you failed to ask the obvious question. And that is, "Why didn’t the other dogs continue on the chase?" The answer to that question is, they had not seen the rabbit." Have you seen Jesus? Are you seeing Him as clearly and passionately as you did when you first believed? Remember that wonderful hymn – Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. Hebrews 12:1, ‘Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.’ Near the end of his life Paul wrote to Timothy, ‘I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. And I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness.’ II Tim:4:7 (NLT) Let’s continue to run with joy in our hearts. And let’s encourage each other to keep our eyes on Jesus!
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 12:38:09 +0000
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