I read a short blurb recently about how some years ago, 300 whales were found marooned on a beach. Scientists speculated that the whales had been chasing sardines and became trapped in shallow water when the tide went out. By chasing little sardines, these gigantic creature were ultimately lead to their doom.
The application to us is easy to make. How many people do you and I know who are now or will get “beached” due to chasing little things? What makes it even worse is that it happens before we realize it.
I’m reminded of several Scriptures-both from the mouth of Jesus.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Mt. 6:24) {As an exercise, substitute another word for money-sports, fame, pleasure, people acceptance, etc and see how it fits}
The other is found in the same chapter of Matthew: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Verse 33)
I’m sure you can add more Scripture. Like the book of Ecclesiastes. Like Matthew 22:37-38.
I will grant you that it is a daily battle. I know it is for me. To stay focused on that which is important-on WHO is important-on WHAT is important-is a titanic struggle of great magnitude.
But it is one we must fight. To choose to chase sardines is a losing game. It only leads to “beached” lives. A dead end.
To choose to pursue God and His kingdom may not yield much fruit here on earth, but the reward is out of this world!
What will you choose to chase?