David Encinia has always been a dreamer. As a young boy, he would dream of greatness, much like others dreaming of hitting that home run, making the last basket, or catching that game-winning touchdown. The only thing that stopped him was his lack of athletic ability. However, that never hindered him in his dreams; in them, he was the greatest. In real life, he may not be the greatest, but then again, greatness can only be determined once time on this earth has expired. Let him explain. After examining the greatest people in the Bible, David believes that it was not until they faced their most drastic challenge-the challenge of the heart-that they obtained their greatest victory. A victory that produced rest. For example, the apostle Paul, after his conversion of the heart, ran his race, finished well, and then rested. That was his greatest victory, a victory that produced rest. David faced his most drastic challenge, a quadriplegic bypass, ten years ago. In fact, the change was so dramatic that his wife believed he had been given a new heart. Now, let's consider who they follow. The Lord Jesus Christ's greatest challenge and victory over sin and death ended in rest-for them. David has now realized that the closer they get to their day of rest, the more urgency God puts in their hearts to finish well. His time, as is everyone's, is limited. They only have a short time to ensure their greatness in this life. David has come to the conclusion that, in the end, when every bit of energy endowed to him by God's spirit is used up, after his light goes out, and God calls him home to the mansion prepared for him, many things won't matter. It really won't matter how protected he was or even how many sermons he preached. The only thing that will matter is how obedient he was to God and how many times he said, "Repeat After Me..." for souls is all that matters. Like the apostle Paul, David will run the race, finish well, and then his greatest victory will come- rest.
