Running for What?



Photo courtesy Washington Post

Have you heard about the next big poker movie?  Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck have a drama coming out in October called Runner Runner.  We'll save details about the plot for another day -- but we're thinking about that title.

Regular poker buffs know the phrase "runner runner".  It refers to the turn and river cards in Texas Hold 'em.  If you have three cards to a flush (let's say diamonds) after the flop, then diamonds are dealt on the turn and river, you hit the flush "runner runner."

We're not sure how that phrase developed -- but if you think about it, all poker players in a tournament are "runners" in a way.  They're in a race to gain chips, as blinds go up and options become more difficult.

And beyond that, everyone is "running" whether they play poker or not.  We're running in a race called life.  A Biblical writer looked at it that way:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize. - I Corinthians 9:24

Yes, there's a prize at the end of the race.  For poker players, the goal is to finish in the money.  What's the prize on the road course of life?

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:14

Really - God's handing out prizes to runners?!  That's what Jesus says....

Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. - Revelation 22:12

Jesus will reward faithful followers when He comes back to earth.  Tonight marks the start of a fall "holy day season" which pictures that return, as well as that reward.

It begins with what Jews call Rosh Hashanah, the "Jewish New Year."  In ancient Israel, it was celebrated by blowing trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-24).  The book of Revelation indicates many trumpets will sound in heaven, right before Jesus comes back.

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." - Revelation 11:15

Jesus will rule the world -- and then His "runners" will receive (at the minimum) the reward of eternal life.

If you'd like to read more about the upcoming holy day and the return of Christ, this study guide provides plenty for you to consider.  Review it with an open Bible.  Then ask yourself: are you really running to win the ultimate "jackpot" God has to offer?