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Man - you've been duped!

We’ve all been duped one way or another.  The question is: are you still being duped?

Have you ever seen greyhound dogs race around a track? (As of 2026 it’s largely illegal in America, but you can still view it online).  The dogs were lured to run by a mechanical rabbit that is attached to a rail on the inside of the track.  The fast-moving artificial rabbit mimics the movement of live prey, forcing the dogs into a high-speed pursuit that reaches 45 mph! 

Trainers felt that if a dog ever caught this mechanical rabbit it would never exert the same effort in a chase again.  The trainers were right!  Over the years there were instances where a dog caught the “lure” and they were immediately confused or even depressed because the high-speed pursuit ended in a “worthless” prize rather than a successful hunt!  Those dogs realized they had been duped and lost interest. They would not be duped again!

What do you continue to chase?  Achievements, pleasures, the perfect job, riches, that new home or vehicle, more money in your bank account, a spouse or perhaps that first spouse didn’t work out, so looking for another?  

Solomon, who God considered the wisest man had this to say about the things we chase:  “Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).  There is nothing on this earth that will bring lasting satisfaction!  And while wisdom is better than folly and hard work is beneficial, if done only for selfish gain and without God, they become empty pursuits!  This truth is often highlighted by those we see in the news.  Men and women who have risen to stardom in their respected fields – having everything they’ve ever dreamed of only to continue feeling empty and often down right miserable. 

Most ‘strive after the wind’ in this life, being duped into thinking “if only I ___ then ___”.   Unlike the dog who after catching the artificial rabbit understands they’ve been duped and quits chasing, the man or woman continues the chase (to strive), thinking that this time it will be different!  What’s the definition of insanity?  Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  This thinking highlights the futility of expecting change without altering actions!   We’ve been duped into chasing after the next thing and in our gut we know it!  

The Hebrew word for “strive after the wind” is hevel, which represents breath, vapor or mist – appearing briefly and then vanishing.  Satisfaction for a time, then not so much!  

Ready to quit striving after “worthless” things that only bring temporary satisfaction? 

Consider the following truths:

• “For He has satisfies the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good” (Psalms 107:9).
• “The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil” (Proverbs 19:23).
• “For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes” (Jeremiah 31:25).
• “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that you may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
• “…for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15b).
• “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible… all things have been created through Him and finds its purpose in Him” (Colossians 1:16).
• “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (I John 2:17).

Finding lasting satisfaction in this life is directly tied to one’s relationship with God, rather than personal pursuits and ambition.  The Message puts it this way: “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.  Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone” (Ephesians 1:11). 

Consider the application of these verses in your life.

 An MCHA Stop~n~Think - 04.24.2026 - Courtesy of  MCHA Ministry Coordinator Tim Chastain