A while ago, I read a book by an expert on the subject of time
management. This expert was speaking to a group of business students and,
to drive home a point, used an illustration I’m sure those students will never
forget. Once I share it with you, you’ll
never forget it either.
As this man stood in front of that group of high-powered
overachievers he said, “Okay, time for a quiz.” Then he pulled out a
one-gallon, wide-mouthed jar and set it on a table in front of him. Afterwards he produced about a dozen
fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, inside the jar.
When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks could fit in,
he asked, “Is this jar full?” Everyone in the class said, “Yes.” Then he
said, “Really?” He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of
gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of
gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks.
Then he smiled and asked the group once more, “Is the jar full?”
By this time the class was onto him. “Probably not,” one of
them answered. “Good!” he replied. And he reached under the table
and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in until it
filled all the spaces between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he
asked the question, “Is this jar full?” “No!” the class shouted.
Once again he said, “Good!” Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began
to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim.
Then he looked up at the class and asked, “What is the point of
this illustration?”
One eager beaver raised his hand and said, “The point is, no matter
how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more
things into it!” “No,” the speaker replied. “That’s not the point.
The truth this illustration teaches us is simple. If you don't put the big rocks in first,
you’ll never get them in at all.” The title of this lecture is “The
Big Rocks of Life.”
My friend, what are the big
rocks in your life? A project that you want to accomplish?
Time with your loved ones? Your faith, your education, your
finances? Some special cause? Teaching or mentoring others? Remember
to put these BIG ROCKS IN FIRST, or you’ll never get them in at all.
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all
else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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