#44 The Fascination of the Race

From The Fascination of the Race and Other Essays, by Benjamin L. Sommer

Life has often been likened unto a race or a game. The apostle Paul, in urging the Corinthians on in their Christian calling, uses the following inspiring language: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain! And every man that striveth for mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (I Cor. 9:24-27)

Fishing, even commercial fishing, because of its uncertainties has more than most pursuits, the aspects of a game. In calling His disciples and apostles to forsake their temporal pursuits, to give themselves wholly into the service of the Gospel and of the Kingdom, Christ says: “Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17)

Business is often likened unto a game. It is the love of the contest, the wish to win, much more than the desire for gain that spurs most business men on in the grinding contest of the business world. Then there is that great game of “making both ends meet” at which ninety-nine per cent of the people are constantly playing, sometimes winning, sometimes losing, always keenly interested.

Happy is the man who can approach his tasks and problems in this spirit, who can meet difficulties and obstacles with the zest of the contest: rejoicing and thankful when he succeeds; patient and uncomplaining when he loses a point. Our work loses much of its drudgery and gains greatly in interest when so approached.

Yes, indeed, life is well likened unto a game or race, The game of business, or the game of “making both ends meet”—with what zest, with what devotion, and with what sacrifice do not men and women throw themselves into such games. Indeed it is good that we should enter with enthusiasm and zeal upon every pursuit, assuming always that it is an honorable pursuit.

But life is not just one great game or race but really a series of games or races which hold our interest and make calls upon our time, our energy, and our affection. Here we face one of the greatest tests of our character. Here we make some of our most far-reaching decisions. Here we reveal what we are and determine what we shall be.

We are at a great Fair; all around us are booths, and exhibits, and attractions. Many are good; many, indifferent; many, vicious! All around are the criers calling to us and urging us to enter, to see, and to buy, promising us great delights and benefits if we patronize them.

Our life is a day at this Great Fair. Before the day is over we shall have chosen. Some one attraction will have appealed to us most; some less; some not at all. We shall have made the decision. We shall have shown our reaction. We shall have revealed what we are. We shall have determined what we are to be.

Perhaps “business,” that spirited race, that hot contest, has held our highest interest. Perhaps the ancient and dignified game of “making both ends meet” has occupied us most. Perhaps “pleasure” has been the highest attraction. Thus we “build of wood, hay, stubble.” (I Cor. 3:12) They who so build must be losers, for in the “fiery trial” (I Peter, 1:7, 4:12) these things will all be consumed and they who have chosen these as their principal attractions, who have been fascinated most by “games,” who thought to see in them their highest good, will stand as naked, miserable bankrupts.

We shall pass over with brief mention those who choose the filthy and the vicious, which also have their criers at the Great Fair, who commend them as most desirable and, indeed, very harmless.

But there are also criers at this Great Fair—alas! alas! that they are so few and their voices often so feeble as to be almost drowned out by the din and turmoil of the Great Fair—who cry to us a message from a higher realm. They tell us: that the best that is exhibited at this Fair is only temporary and will soon perish; that man liveth not by bread alone, but by the Word of God; (Matt. 4:4) that in order to provide for the needs of the soul we must build of more enduring substance, of “gold, silver, and precious stones,” (I Cor. 3:12) of that and on that which is spiritual and eternal.

Though these criers be few, and their voices often feeble, there are two witnesses, The Law and The Gospel, which testify constantly. (Rev. 11:3-13) Even though they seem for a time to be overcome; yet they shall prevail.

What a battle, what a race is that to which the criers of the Gospel call us. They make an appeal to the highest and best that is in us to awaken in us the highest aspirations and hopes; namely, the hope of Eternal Life and complete union with the eternal Father.

They who see this vision and hear this call of service to humanity and of love toward God find in it a challenge that absorbs them completely. All other things become secondary. To such a one there can be no doubt as to what fascinates most. To him it comes entirely natural to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matt. 6:33) Here is a race, here is a battle, here is a contest that is all-absorbing in interest and fascination. Over it we pray, we labor, we suffer, we rejoice.

There yet remains the question whether this condition continues or whether another race, another attraction might again draw us away from the highest attraction. For it is the end that counts. The thing that fascinates, that holds first place in our interest at the day the Great Fair closes determines the effect of our day's visit at the Fair.

So whatever threatens to fascinate unduly— threatens to take the place of first importance—we do well to regard with suspicion and learn to curb and control so that things spiritual and things eternal may ever hold first place. “Run so that ye may obtain! Everyone that striveth for masteries is temperate in all things. They do it to obtain a corruptible crown but we, an incorruptible.” (I Cor. 9:24, 25)