Last week, I was searching through a new online streaming app, just to see what was available and came across the Dukes of Hazard, which was a show I remember watching often as a child. I watched one episode, and honestly could have told you how the story ended up, even if I had not seen it before, as somehow the Duke boys get in trouble for something they did or didn’t do, get chased by the Law, and eventually end up helping solve the real crime and walk away in the end. There are enough small variations on this theme each week to keep people interested and watching on a regular basis, as with many other shows. Wile E Coyote is always looking for new and better ways, with the help of Acme, to chase down and catch the elusive Roadrunner. Mystery and crime shows, western movies, and many others play out how the ‘good guys’ eventually track down the ‘bad guys’ and justice is served in the end. What type of shows or books draw you in and make you want to find out how the story ends?
A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Proverbs 13:4
In reality, we spend a lot of our lives chasing after things. As children, most things are provided for us, but eventually we learn that if we want something, we have to go after it and work to get what we are after. When my dad was young, he learned to hunt, both to earn some money and to put food on the table. If we wanted to be the fastest, the toughest, the best at something, we have to prove our worth among our peers, in athletics, in academics, behind the wheel, with the girl, in almost every part of life we are driven to compete. Remember when you were young, and sometimes foolish, what drove you to chase down what you were after? When you had your eyes set on a girl and you did all kinds of things to try to win her heart? Maybe you had to compete for her attention, or somehow prove you were worthy, or just brave enough to ask her out. What happened after you got married, did you still try as hard to win her attention?
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22
Just as our drive to chase down what we have our sights set on can be a good thing, it can also get us into trouble. When we try to get rich quick, instead of working for what we want, it can lead to greed, laziness, and selfishness. Gambling drives us to give up almost everything in the desire to hit the ‘big one.’ Those who find themselves controlled by substance abuse are always chasing after a bigger or better high, or escape from their troubles. The constant lust for more is never satisfied when it comes to pornography. The desire for more and more money and things has lead many toward illegal or unethical actions just to earn a dollar. Our desires for anything can lead us down trails that lead to death and be an Achilles heal that can be our downfall instead of being that which leads us to succeed. Do you know which are your most vulnerable spots and how to keep them from being your undoing?
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6
What about God? Are you chasing after Him, or is he chasing after you? When we were growing up, we either had an interest in knowing Him, or we didn’t, but was that our own interest or Him drawing us to him? It is not until after we see the truth in who He is and what He has done for us, that we realize He has been calling to us since before we were born. He reveals to us through nature, others, in His Word, and through his Spirit, just who He is and who we are. Have you heard that call, and have you answered that call? Do you still hear Him calling to you to be who you were made to be, and to share that Good News with others? The Hound of Heaven isn’t done chasing after you yet!
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Yours in Christ,
Clark
