We live in an age that has been aptly described as the "rat race." Our modern space age is truly one big, noisy, busy rat race. Inventions, discoveries, and material riches characterize our time. People are so busy at making "a living" that they have no time left to make "a life." We rush about here, and we hurry over there . . . but where are we going? People are so busy running in the rat race that they have no time left to run in the Christian race.

Friend, stop for a moment from the toils of your busy day and ask yourself: "What am I doing on this earth? Where am I going? What is my goal?"

Perhaps your goal (as is true of so many of your friends around you) is to make lots and lots of money so you can buy all the things you want. Well, do you have all you want? No? Will you ever have all you want? NO! Why set your mind on the things of this earth? Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21? Take time to read and ponder what our Lord said. Also remember what Paul stated in Colossians 3:2, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Christ gave this warning: "Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15).

Consider carefully these words of inspiration: "But godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; but having food and covering we shall be therewith content. But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (I Tim. 6:6-10). How true it is, all material possessions are temporary and "riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flieth toward heaven" (Prov. 23:5). You cannot win in the rat race. Will you not take time out from this old rat race and consider entering a race wherein you can be a winner? "Therefore let us also . . . lay aside every weight, and the sin which cloth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1,2). You can receive an incorruptible crown (I Cor. 9:25) if you will run faithfully in the Christian race. Your reward will be eternal joy in heaven.

Yes, we all have a busy, busy life. Our time is precious and the weeks, months, and years fly by so fast. But we usually find time to do those things that we really want to do. If it is important enough and if we desire to do it bad enoughwe find the time, do we not?

Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important than your eternal destiny! Will you not take the time to study the Bible and see what God would have you to do? The Bible is God's revelation to men and it can tell you clearly how to run in this spiritual race and look forward to joy everlasting. We must believe that Jesus is God's only begotten Son, therefore repent of our sins, confess His name, and be immersed in water and rise to walk faithfully in a new life in Christ.

Are you striving for happiness? Then here is where true and lasting happiness is found: "This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Eccl. 12: 13, 14).

Do you want genuine peace, comfort' joy, and happiness? Then stop being a loser in the rat race, and become a winner by running faithfully in the Christian race. Then a CROWN of righteousness will be your reward, and HEAVEN will be your home.

TRUTH MAGAZINE X: 6, pp. 20-21 March 1966