“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?  Run in such a way  that you may obtain it.”  I Corinthians 9:24

Ariel Sharon passed away this past Shabbat and his funeral is today.  I was listening and reading about recollections people had of him over the years.  He was, by many, regarded as the greatest general in modern Israel’s history.  Years ago he asked the Jewish people to settle the land in Gaza.  But this was in the past.  What many will remember about him is how he (supposedly) made a deal to sweep his son’s illegal political dealings under the rug and in return boot the settlers out of Gaza.  What a shameful end to a war hero’s life!

I have been confronted over the past couple of years with a couple of older people who claim to be strong believers, but yet have done some very unseemly things.  It makes me wonder, do they not care how then end the race?  Would you not want to “be in your best form” when you find yourself standing before G-d?  Yes, I know that we, as believers, are covered with the blood and are redeemed.  But do we not care about our works?  Read James chapter 2.

Once we are saved, that is not the end, but rather the beginning.  Let us live our life for Yeshua and end the race well!

Note:  Tomorrow I will post about the holiday we just celebrated, Tu b’Shevat.