Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26)

Seeking Sardines In Life

Robert J. McKain said, “The reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first.” Some years ago, a headline told of three hundred whales that suddenly died. The whales were pursuing sardines and found themselves marooned in a bay. Frederick Broan Harris commented, “The small fish lured the sea giants to their death. They came to their violent demise by chasing small ends, by prostituting vast powers for insignificant goals.” (John C. Maxwell)

Life can be filled with great activity, but the end goals that are achieved determine whether the effort is worth the energy. A person can be busy and accomplish nothing. Nothing happens if a car gets stuck in the sand and tries to get out with all the power the car has but without traction. Being busy is not a success. It is what the purpose of life is about and the goals that are gained that will make a difference. The business model shows the importance of seeking major goals without being overwhelmed by chasing the small ends. This is true because no matter what goals are achieved, life becomes a waste when no preparation is made for the larger goal of eternity.

Jesus brought abundant life to a world bent on seeking the small ends. Throughout the teachings of God’s Son, He reminded the disciples that life is not about the here and now but the life to come. If a man spends all the energy of his life to achieve great riches, fame, and pleasure, what value is any of this when a man dies? The sad reality of life is how many people exhaust themselves in the pursuit of things they cannot take with them in death. If a man gains 10 billion dollars and dies, what good does his money do him in death? He gets a lovely funeral, but he does not enjoy it. When a man wastes his life on the ‘sardines’ of this world, he will find himself empty and alone.

True happiness comes when the purpose of life is directed in the way of God. God created man to glorify Him. The Lord blessed humanity with the things of life that can be used to help others, make the world a better place, and find inner peace. When the heart seeks after the small ends of life to neglect the most important things of life, there can be no joy and peace. The most important question a man will answer is what he must do to be saved. When he answers this question, he realizes there is something more to life. Eternity is real, which is life’s main focus – preparing for eternity. Life is short, but in this short life, eternity is measured.

Are you chasing sardines? There is more to life than the small ends that exhaust our efforts. Are you seeking a deeper meaning to life? Consider how important your eternal soul is. God has given to man everything he needs to know to find happiness, peace, and answers to what life is about. Jesus said a life that is not focused on the Father is a wasted life. Death is the final equalizer that robs everyone of everything they have except one thing – their eternal spirit. Life is about where the soul spends eternity. Choosing the right path now will help make the right path in death. What are you willing to give in exchange for your eternal spirit?