What are You Chasing?

Recently when reading a message on Money in the Kingdom of God by Pastor Bobby Schuller I was fascinated to read the story of greyhounds chasing a mechanical rabbit. The story goes that one day the mechanical rabbit broke and the dogs caught it. Apparently they had no idea of what to do with the rabbit once they caught it. I suppose it was because the rabbit didn’t give off the scent of a real animal.

Nevertheless catching the thing that was always on the move and kept them on the hunt suddenly confused the dogs and they appeared depressed. Why? Pastor Bobby says it was because they lost their purpose.

I can relate to losing my purpose and direction in dark times of confusion and despair during my early life when I thought I had caught what I needed, only to find out it was not right for me. When it’s all said and done losing one’s purpose and direction in life can have a devastating effect on us, I know, it certainly did with me. Catching the thing you thought was good for you and then discovering the cold hard truth that you were way out of line, way off target can be truly destructive. Obviously this is one way we learn but if we think about it, there is a better way of going forward and it has everything to do with slowing down. Quite the contrary isn’t it.

By slowing down I mean placing all your effort into seeking God first. This means sitting alone and quiet for extended periods of time and opening your heart to God. This is when you will have feelings about the deeper things in your life. This is a time when the things you have been pushing down deep inside you , will rise to the surface. Unhappiness or emptiness are exposed during this time alone with God. It is always a comfort to find a friend who can serve as Christ’s ambassador” to you. (2 Corinthians 5:20) This is the safest way to grow and go forward. Not chasing after something you believe you want.