“And of all glad words of prose or rhyme, the gladdest are, ‘Act while there yet is time.’” -Franklin P. Adams.
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Are you ever guilty of putting the cart before the horse? What about doing the nice work before the necessary? Or do you find yourself rushing about constantly arranging urgent priorities? Most of us think we have so much time, yet we get trapped by our lack of time all the time!
Are you ever guilty of putting the cart before the horse? What about doing the nice work before the necessary? Or do you find yourself rushing about constantly arranging urgent priorities? Most of us think we have so much time, yet we get trapped by our lack of time all the time!
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The title is a crucial imperative; but what does it mean? There is a good old farming proverb that takes us further into this cognitive territory: “Arrange your outside work, and get your things ready in the field; afterwards build your house.” (Proverbs 24:27 translation)[1] It simply means we should attend to necessary priorities of life (and some of these admittedly that we have no control over) first, then, if we get the time, do the enjoyable, fulfilling things.
The title is a crucial imperative; but what does it mean? There is a good old farming proverb that takes us further into this cognitive territory: “Arrange your outside work, and get your things ready in the field; afterwards build your house.” (Proverbs 24:27 translation)[1] It simply means we should attend to necessary priorities of life (and some of these admittedly that we have no control over) first, then, if we get the time, do the enjoyable, fulfilling things.
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Consider these things:
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- Pay bills before they lapse;
- Exercise before you get tired;
- Sleep before you get overtired;
- Spend time with your partner or children before it’s too late;
- Pay bills before they lapse;
- Exercise before you get tired;
- Sleep before you get overtired;
- Spend time with your partner or children before it’s too late;
- Do the work for your employer (your master) that you promised; and,
- Do your studies before you do more enjoyable things.
- Do your studies before you do more enjoyable things.
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It’s a case of planning to get our priorities right and then having the self-discipline to carry through -- this is what it means to be responsible. Responsibility is an adult behaviour and adults ought to manage their lives responsibly... though many do not. These people who constantly shelve the critical things in their lives to chase enjoyment merely ‘follow the wind’ and do themselves a lot of harm at the end of the day, though they refuse to see it. The simple advice; don’t be one of them!
It’s a case of planning to get our priorities right and then having the self-discipline to carry through -- this is what it means to be responsible. Responsibility is an adult behaviour and adults ought to manage their lives responsibly... though many do not. These people who constantly shelve the critical things in their lives to chase enjoyment merely ‘follow the wind’ and do themselves a lot of harm at the end of the day, though they refuse to see it. The simple advice; don’t be one of them!
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We see here wisdom is practical. The sages of old were practical people. They did their work first, and then they rested. They attended to their fields and then, and only then, did they build their farmhouses. “Preparation for the material needs... should be attended to first.”[2] It means we must sacrifice what comes naturally for the unnatural. But it is an investment; no one has truly rested without having worked hard beforehand.
We see here wisdom is practical. The sages of old were practical people. They did their work first, and then they rested. They attended to their fields and then, and only then, did they build their farmhouses. “Preparation for the material needs... should be attended to first.”[2] It means we must sacrifice what comes naturally for the unnatural. But it is an investment; no one has truly rested without having worked hard beforehand.
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We might think that if we don’t do such and such now we’ll miss the opportunities to do them; we must have faith that if it’s meant to be time will become available. This is where the good life is an expression of faith.
We might think that if we don’t do such and such now we’ll miss the opportunities to do them; we must have faith that if it’s meant to be time will become available. This is where the good life is an expression of faith.
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Lastly, this is a call to be diligent. True diligence is selfless. It takes life as a bunch of even, level-ground opportunities where everyone and every situation might be judged on its real merit and then time apportioned commensurately. On the other hand, doing our own thing regardless of our responsibilities harms us and those who rely on us -- it’s inherently selfish. (There is another word that is the antithesis of diligence -- sloth -- one of the seven deadly sins.)
Lastly, this is a call to be diligent. True diligence is selfless. It takes life as a bunch of even, level-ground opportunities where everyone and every situation might be judged on its real merit and then time apportioned commensurately. On the other hand, doing our own thing regardless of our responsibilities harms us and those who rely on us -- it’s inherently selfish. (There is another word that is the antithesis of diligence -- sloth -- one of the seven deadly sins.)
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Work, rest, and play. These must all happen. Let’s make sure we do our work so we can truly earn our rest and play. Let us act while there yet is time. Another thing, and let’s make sure we connect the dots, love while there is still time!
Work, rest, and play. These must all happen. Let’s make sure we do our work so we can truly earn our rest and play. Let us act while there yet is time. Another thing, and let’s make sure we connect the dots, love while there is still time!
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Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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