I returned and saw under the sun that –
The race is not fast,
Nor fight with the strong,
No bread for the wise,
No wealth for wise people,
Nor the favor of skilled men;
But time and chance happen to all of them.
(Ecclesiastes 9:11)
It would be an interesting exercise to try to predict who will reach heaven and who will not. For example, among the people you know, who are those who will see God’s face in his eternal kingdom? Whatever criteria you use to make such a forecast, there is a good chance that many of your predictions will not come true. It’s an obvious fact in this world: We are often amazed at what people’s spiritual lives are like. Some of those we thought bound to remain faithful to the Lord have met with disappointment, while others we had little hope would prove most faithful. The race is not fast!
The reason predictions of any kind are difficult is that life is full of Unexpected turn of events. As far as people’s spiritual lives are concerned, God is capable of bringing into play factors that we would never have imagined but which completely change the outcome. He never takes away anyone’s freedom of will, but he certainly interferes in ways that produce surprising results.
But if the race is not for the swift and the battle is not for the strong, what does that mean? What should be our attitude towards that fact?
First, we need to put away our “crystal balls.” Especially when we are trying to impress someone who seems to be a “hopeless case,” we need to allow that things may be better than we think. We must just move forward and do what is right today, and let the future be what it will be.
But second, we have to stop thinking that everything depends on us. We need to leave more space in our calculations God What is the plan He Can do. Whenever God is involved, “it’s not over ’til it’s over” and many more good things can come about than we or anyone else can cause or predict. It may seem that the race is lost, but it will still be won – despite our lack of swiftness.
“Disillusionment with our abilities is, perhaps, one of the most important things that can ever happen to us” (Tim Hensel).
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com AreYouaChristian.com
