Greyhound racing has become a popular betting sport with sleek, beautiful dogs that run as fast as they can around a track.

Unlike horses, greyhounds run without the assistance of a jockey. To keep the dogs running in the right direction, a mechanical rabbit made of fur zips along the track in front of them.

At a Florida track, the dogs were in pursuit of this mechanical rabbit when-as a result of an electrical short-the rabbit came to a stop and exploded into flames. With the rabbit gone, the bewildered dogs didn’t know what to do. According to news reports, several dogs stopped running and laid down on the track. Two dogs ran into a wall, breaking several ribs, and another dog began chasing his tail in circles. Not one dog finished the race!

Like those racing dogs, many times we do the same thing. We’re chasing after our chosen rabbit-an illusion-that turns out to offer us no hope.

Paul the apostle, in Philippians 1:21, wrote,

“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

That’s what should motivate us to live! Knowing when we pursue Christ, we are in pursuit of someone who offers us meaning. And unlike those phony mechanical rabbits, Jesus is real and desires to be with us.

Quit chasing and pursuing those things that have little value. Instead, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

I’m Pastor Cal, and I pray you reach a heart through this Reach the Heart Moment.