A Folktale and some Biblical Wisdom
It’s been a tough week, personally and professionally. It doesn’t matter how much I have “seen” or “experienced” it’s often easy for me to forget that I cannot live beyond the present moment. Yes, we can dream of the future, relive the past but life is lived in the present. In that glorious inhale and exhale you and I just experienced. Earlier this week, in our staff devotions, we took time to hear from each other what our favorite verses were. When my time came to share, Mathew 6:33-34 came to memory (and especially verse 34):
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
In the past, I was drawn to the verse 33 and I viewed it as “if I do this (seek first) then all things that I want/need will be taken care off”. I had missed the point because there’s a hidden meaning in this scripture and it’s captured in verse 34. The whole idea of the race (of life) that we are on is to point us back to Christ rather than anything/anyone that would take His place. That refocus, in and of itself, is everything we need – and may not know we need it until we experience it.
The reading this week, The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell reminded me of powerful lessons in African folktales that were often shared with us, orally, by the older folk. Beyond them being nice stories, they had hidden meaning (just like the parables Jesus gave his disciples). One that comes to mind that has a parallel (I think) with the holy scriptures is the short story of the Tortoise and the Hare. In summary, the speedy and boastful Hare puts up a challenge for the animals in the jungle. The Hare gets an unusual competitor, the slow but sure Tortoise! I mean isn’t that like me challenging Usain Bolt to a 100m sprint? Anyway, the jungle shuts down on the day of the race; herbivores and carnivores, aligned in watchful gaze to see how this race would turn out. The loudest trumpet in the area, was the “gun” that began the race. The elephant blew its trunk and off the Hare went with the tortoise prodding far behind. At some point, the Hare looked back and the tortoise was nowhere in sight and so he figured he would rest up and take a nap or nibble on a carrot! As he was resting, the tortoise closed ground and was making his way to the finish line! The Hare woke up, saw the Tortoise was close to the finish line and tried to make a dash to win the race, but it was too late. The Tortoise had crossed the finish line and won the race!
According to Campbell, we get see the Hero’s journey unfold, the archetypes in the two competitors, a universal theme and arguably, a spiritual depth[1] of which I draw a parallel from the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 9 and verse 11: “Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.”
And so, a simple folktale reminded me to run my race, at my pace, appreciating the gift of “the now” but more importantly, to keep my eye on the eternal prize by seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Could this mindset allow us to navigate any leadership challenges and be cognizant of any opportunities that we might encounter as we run the race of life?
[1] Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. 3rd ed. Bollingen Series XVII. Novato, Calif: New World Library, 2008.
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Alex Mwaura
10 responses to “A Folktale and some Biblical Wisdom”
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Alex –
I’m sorry that this week has been rough–I prayed briefly for you as I prepared to write these comments, that you would sense the peace and presence of Holy Spirit, and that you would see him undeniably at work in whatever circumstances you’re facing.
Your reminder to be fully present *now* is so timely. I’d imagine many of us in this program are visionary or strategic thinkers and leaders used to thinking moves or seasons ahead, which can make it hard to be all-in right now. A friend recently reminded me of the old (and probably tired!) axiom, “We’re called human BEings, not human DOings.” To be present where we are and faithful there probably matters more than we realize.
What are your rhythms and practices that help you “be” before you “do?”
Thanks Jeremiah. I appreciate your message and prayer. All is well and I have just said a prayer for you too.
What a great reminder of that we are “human BEings”. Great question, I have to admit I am learning to be more present rather than five or 10 steps ahead. Being a leader, there’s usually a pressure to always be forward-looking but I am learning to balance that strategic, visionary necessity with the present realities.
Thank you Alex for your honesty. I’m sorry the week was tough. I hope the weekend is refreshing.
I love the old story of the Hare and the Tortoise and I find that a timely reminder to slow down and pause. I do find that our current society with such easy access to information and stimulation online has caused everyone to seem to be in a rush. I also believe that the art of reflecting, thinking, processing and slowly exploring ideas could be beginning to be lost, unless we intentionally teach the next generation. How can we help them recover from their addition to fast paced, high level stimulation which often numbs them and stops them moving through uncomfortable liminal spaces to explore new concepts? A tortoise doesn’t look appealing as a hero compared to the speed of a hare! I guess we can all find that the experiences that lead to either an adrenaline rush or feeling numb are equally comforting and familiar? The choice to press on with endurance and choose to feel the discomfort and frustration and also give that language and space to be felt, as you have done here in this blog, can be overwhelming unless its a conscious choice. Aren’t we humans fascinating?
Thanks Betsy! I actually took time to slow down this weekend and it was refreshing. I hope that you had a restful and refreshing one too. I like your reflective questions and this weeks’ readings point to the fast-paced and every changing digital world we are living it. To you question on how do we might the next generation find ways of slowing down? Perhaps one way is by modeling the practices to them? I’ll keep reflecting on this
Alex, I pray that you can take a break from an eventful week and find respite this weekend.
As a kid, I enjoyed reading Aesop’s Fables. I had a small paperback copy that included around 75+ fables, including The Tortoise and the Hare, The Lion and the Mouse, and one of my favorites, The Scorpion and the Frog.
How can you step away from the immediacy of the now to gain access to a more forward-looking presence and frame of mind? I wholeheartedly understand what the daily demands can drive, including a survival mode to get through the day. Integrating a few small pieces of personal/focused time during the day could help shift the overall balance.
Michael – thank you! Hoping your weekend was restful as well. I’m glad you like the fables too. Isn’t it amazing how these works have quickly moved from (some) oral tales, to paperback and now digitalized? Great lessons nonetheless.
To your question, I think it’s a balance because the future and the now are equally important. The challenge, for me, is striking that balance and taking the personal time to reflect, pray and refocus. It’s work in progress.
Alex-
I was curious to see your perspective on Campbell and whether the pattern of the monomyth was present in the Nigerian culture. I smiled when you shared a universal fable known by all. The world is not so big.
Your description on shifting the focus from verse 33 to verse 34 illustrates the living and breathing aspect of scripture. I’ve had a couple of life realities hitting hard this week. As I contemplated your underlined phrase, the word ‘might’ was conspicuously absent. Each day will have trouble. Expect it.
I’ve found trouble to be part of the pattern that turns me toward God. Some of our classmates have written on this theme in contrast to the monomyth hero finding strength from within. When I am reminded that I cannot do this life on my own, that is a hallelujah moment. Maybe that isn’t so heroic. It’s as you describe, a refocus that I’m not looking for but desperately need.
What helps you with weeks like this, whether gaining clarity on what happened or in building hope that God has purpose?
Thanks for your reflection, Rich. And I do pray you find the moments and time to refocus and rejuvenate this week and may God’s grace abound. I’m reminded of how Christ prayed for his disciples (friends) and I wonder if we should intentionally adopt this practice as well? I’m still learning to slow down and reflect more but we are in such a fast paced era that slowing down seems frowned upon. However, if Christ did it, then I’ll keep trying to emulate Him.
I’m sending prayers your way this week, Alex. Thank you for this reminder of the gift of the present—painful as it may be. I have heard the tale of the tortoise and been inspired. But honestly, I have failed miserably at being “slow and steady.” I tend to run hard, fall down, and have to begin again. I am acutely aware of my need for grace and redemption to reorient myself to seek his kingdom first. I appreciate this post that reminds me that a hero’s journey comes in many forms.
Thank you for the prayers, Mika. I have failed in this area too but I am now trying to learn and acquire better patterns… a step at a time.