THE BIG ROCKS OF LIFE

THE BIG ROCKS OF LIFE

 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, he used an illustration that 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 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 responded, “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, some members of the class were 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 responded, “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 more things into it!”  “No,” the speaker replied.  “That’s not the point.  The truth this illustration teaches us is quite 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 you want to complete?  Time with your loved ones?  Your faith, your education, your finances?  Some special cause?  Teaching or mentoring others? Remember to put THE 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!