You know the age old life lesson story of the Tortoise and the Hare? Who is the “good guy” in that? What is the lesson? What is the “take-home”?
The Tortoise. Patience. Slow and steady wins the race.
Even though I have run my fair share of cross country races at a “slow and steady” pace- a lot of the time I do not believe this statement. A race is supposed to be exciting, competitive, empowering, and adrenaline-giving. Maybe this is why I tended to like the 800 in track more- shorter, less time to think- more action to prove.
I am definitely the Hare here. I’m out with something to prove. I’m excited. I want to get the job done. I want action, competition, thrill… but I burn out. When the crowd can no longer see me, I get lazy, I check out, I mess up, I forget… I “fall asleep” on the race of life.
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The tortoise is a rock, he is steady and patience. He is very obedient and smart/logical. He has great endurance. But he has a hard time finding passion, finding purpose, he tends to “go through the motions” a lot. He hardly notices the crowd (which is good and/or bad in life).
I’ve been analyzing this part of my personality a lot lately. I keep seeing myself as the Hare. The impatient one. The disobedient one. The childish, immature one. The lazy one. I keep seeing the Tortoise as the boring one, the perfect (“goody two shoes”) one, the one who does it “right”. I don’t want to be either.
Sometimes I focus so hard on the crowd. Sometimes I focus so hard on who the competitor is. Sometimes I focus so hard on who I am trying not to be, that I forget who I am trying to be. I forget what the Race is about.
Hebrews 12:1-3New International Version (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame,and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
It’s not about winning. It’s been won.
