Are You Winning the Race Toward God?

​April 19, 2026
 
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
Have you ever noticed that the fastest one doesn't always win the race?  I'm reminded of the old legend of the tortoise and the hare.  The hare takes off like the jack rabbit that he is on the course set out before him.  Instead of keeping an eye on the prize, he zigzags from here to there, lollygagging around along the path set out.   Meanwhile, the tortoise plods along at a steadily slow pace in a straight line toward the prize.  You guessed it.  The tortoise wins!  Yeah, for the underdog!
 
In baseball, those who are power sluggers and home run hitters sometimes have the lowest batting average.  Every time they swing at the ball they're hoping for a home run and consequently, they strike out often.  Likewise, those who try to get rich quickly, often end up going broke.  Trust me on that one.  I've tried some of those get rich quick schemes and, though I didn't go broke, my investments didn't always work out so well.  In baseball, those who swing for singles often have the highest batting average.  When it comes to making money, swing for a lot of singles.  Work not for yourself.  Work for the glory of the Lord.  In the end, it all works out anyway.
 
In life, are we all not like the tortoise and the hare?  Running, hoping to win the prize.  In baseball, do you not think that every player envisions hitting a home run every time he's at the plate?  When it comes to making money, do we not all salivate and chase after it?  I'm here to tell you that the prize at the end of some race, a successful swing with the crack of the bat, the ca-ching of the cash register, are all meaningless, unless you know Jesus as your personal Savior.
 
Philippians 3:14 (NASB) speaks to the prize, the goal toward which we should all stretch.  “I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  If you want to win the race, if you want to hit a home run, if you want treasure worth more than silver and gold, then ask yourself, “Am I reaching for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus?”
 
Now if you're honest with yourself about that question, life will come into focus.  You will realize that there is a very low probability your child will be a great track star, a professional football, or baseball player, or have the ability to make a bazillion dollars.  On the other hand, there is a 100% probability that one day your child will meet Jesus face to face.  How do you think that's going to work out for them when they say to Him, “My mom and dad took me to all these games on Sunday mornings.  I never learned about You in Sunday school or church”?  Just wondering…..
 
Pastor Allan
 
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