Hope for life
Hope makes all the difference.
Hope makes all the difference.
And then what
And then what
A wise teacher once asked a promising student a simple question: “What are your plans for life?” The student answered that he planned to work hard in high school to get good grades in order to get into one of the better universities. The teacher commended her student for planning ahead and then said, “And then what.” He told her what he knew about college and how he hoped to earn a four year degree in business in order to get a good job. The teacher gave a positive nod and again said, “And then what.” The student thought for a moment and then said that he would like to get a job in management in the advertising field so he could earn a good living. The teacher predictably followed up again, “And then what.” He was ready this time and said that he would like to get married and have a family, buy a house and get promoted at work. “And then what”, she said. The student now gave thought to areas beyond where he was comfortable. He gradually said that he would like to earn enough money to retire early, travel with his wife and enjoy hobbies like golf. “And then what” came the expected response. The young man said that he would like to age gracefully and in good health, spend plenty of time with his grandchildren and dabble with inventions in his final days. His teacher pushed the envelope again and asked, “And then what.” The student had no more plans beyond these and so he replied that after all of these things were done, he supposed he would just die. That’s when the wise teacher played her final card by asking, “And then what!”
A wise teacher once asked a promising student a simple question: “What are your plans for life?” The student answered that he planned to work hard in high school to get good grades in order to get into one of the better universities. The teacher commended her student for planning ahead and then said, “And then what.” He told her what he knew about college and how he hoped to earn a four year degree in business in order to get a good job. The teacher gave a positive nod and again said, “And then what.” The student thought for a moment and then said that he would like to get a job in management in the advertising field so he could earn a good living. The teacher predictably followed up again, “And then what.” He was ready this time and said that he would like to get married and have a family, buy a house and get promoted at work. “And then what”, she said. The student now gave thought to areas beyond where he was comfortable. He gradually said that he would like to earn enough money to retire early, travel with his wife and enjoy hobbies like golf. “And then what” came the expected response. The young man said that he would like to age gracefully and in good health, spend plenty of time with his grandchildren and dabble with inventions in his final days. His teacher pushed the envelope again and asked, “And then what.” The student had no more plans beyond these and so he replied that after all of these things were done, he supposed he would just die. That’s when the wise teacher played her final card by asking, “And then what!”
Do you relate better to the teacher or the student in this story? Does it really matter what you believe?
Do you relate better to the teacher or the student in this story? Does it really matter what you believe?
Why should anyone spend time hoping for the future when life today is so good for so many?
Why should anyone spend time hoping for the future when life today is so good for so many?
Knowing that so many religions teach opposite eternal rewards, why invest anything into something so uncertain? Who knows what The Bible hope is anyway?
Knowing that so many religions teach opposite eternal rewards, why invest anything into something so uncertain? Who knows what The Bible hope is anyway?