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From YourSITE.com Monday Moments
Common wisdom says “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” But it all depends on which bird is in the bush. Moses could have lived in the safety and luxury of the Pharaoh’s court all his days. He could have died there of old age and become a good mummy with a pyramid all his own. But he preferred honor and self-respect to the riches of the palace. The whole world has benefited from his choice of the bird in the bush to those securely in his hand. The Pilgrim settlers could have continued their prosperous standard of living in England or in Holland. Compromises about their expression of faith would have been necessary, but they did have some worthwhile assets in hand. Yet the prospect of freedom was more beautiful by far and drove them across the sea to years of hardship. Their daring and costly venture became the foundation of all that we have in America today. Washington was one of the three wealthiest men in Virginia at the time of the Revolution. His fields were well manicured and fenced. His mansion on the Potomac was the envy of all. He owned herds of stock and scores of slaves. Obeying the adage about the birds would have kept him out of the war and his property safe. But Washington had seen something well beyond his fields. The far lights of the ages gave him a glimpse of a new nation, and the high adventure of what that might mean caused him to stake his fortune and his life on the outcome of the struggle. Not every risk is worth taking, of course. The saying did not stick in our cultural consciousness because it was untrue. Usually we are well advised to protect what we have rather than to risk it chasing improbable dreams. The hundreds who flock into every riverboat casino on Saturday nights to throw good money after bad would do well to listen to the wisdom about the birds. We will not regret most of those decisions we make in the interest of guarding what we already have. But when we spy honor or faith or love within—even distant—reach, we do well to make room in our hearts for the Moses choice and say no to the safe way. A move as daring as that of the Pilgrims, an investment as risky as Washington’s, may present itself. Then glory is found in uncommon wisdom—letting go of what we have and pursuing the difficult goal. Monday Moments are written by Dr. Michael A. Halleen. If you receive this publication as a forwarded message from a friend and wish to be added to the weekly mail list, please contact Mike at mhalleen@att.net. Requests to be removed may be sent to the same address. © Copyright by YourSITE.com |
