In 1959 my family moved 30 miles across the City of Los Angeles. We brought our two cats with us, Cheeses and Crackers by name. After a few days in our new home Cheeses disappeared and never returned home. Crackers the cat seemed quite content with her new surroundings and stayed with us for the next ten years until she passed away from old age. About a month after Cheeses disappeared my mother received a phone call from a former neighbor where we used to live. Cheeses was at their door. Cheeses had traversed THIRTY miles across Los Angeles roads and freeways and went back to where our old home was. Amazingly Cheeses traveled about a mile a day. She left her family for her former life. Like Lot’s wife, she looked back. Crackers stayed with us and remained faithful to her family.
When it comes to our faith, are we a “Cheeses” or a “Crackers”? Do we have the FAITH to stick with the family God has called us into, or do we long to return to our old neighborhood like Cheeses did? Paul tells us in Rom. 8: 14-17 that we are God’s children and have been adopted into His family. How magnificent is that! We are a part of God’s family. Living the Christian life is not always easy. There are distractions set before us every day which can cause us to return to our former lives if we do not remain faithful. Do not allow yourself to be distracted from seeking first His mighty Kingdom (Family) Matt. 6:33. We are reminded in Heb. 12:1-2 that we will have snares and heavy weights on our daily lives but “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” It takes faith to stay the course of our Christian lives.
Jesus tells us in the time of the end, “he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matt. 24:13-14. We have a job to do. Endure to the end and preach the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God to ALL the world. It is not an easy job.
To “endure to the end” takes faith. Faith in God and His family. Life is a long-distance race and we must endure NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. Do not be distracted from our calling. Seek His Kingdom first, endure to the end, be faithful.
Are we going to be Cheeses the cat and return to our old lives? Or are we going to be Crackers the cat and remain faithful to the family God has given us? I choose Crackers.
All Bible quotes NKJV
Mike Wallace
Mike lives in Florence, MT with his wife of 41 years (42 May 15). They attend the Colorado Springs Church of God 7th Day via electronic media. Mike serves on the board of directors for the CSCOG7 and is the COG7 coordinator for the state of Montana. In his spare time he raises a sheep or two.
