There’s a story about a rich man who was terminally ill. The doctor said, “There’s only “one thing” that will save you, “A brain transplant.” It’s an experimental operation. And it’s very expensive.” The wealthy sick man said, – “Money is no problem. Can you get me a brain?” The doctor said, – “We have three available right now. The first one is from a college professor. But it’ll cost you $10,000.” The man said, “Don’t worry. I can pay; it will make me much wiser. What about the second brain?” The doctor said, “It is from a rocket scientist. It’ll cost you $100,000.” The man said, “I have the money. And I’d be a lot smarter too. But tell me about the third brain.” The doctor said, “The third brain is from a person who was in his early 50’s. But it would cost you a fortune, I mean one million dollars.” The sick man exclaimed, “A million dollars? Why so much for his brain?” The doctor said, “It was hardly used or challenged in life.” When people fail to embrace challenges while on earth, figuratively they leave behind potentially expensive brains. While this rich man could pay for any of these “brains”, we need to ask, what brain power had he nurtured for himself?
We too have unused and misuse power in us, above us, around us and everywhere. It’s not about age or gender, but how much of life and time that we make use of for the good of humanity. Never be content in life merely by the fact that you have your daily bread, shelter and status, but more by the lives you affect positively each day. If all you did today was less or equal to what you achieved yesterday, then it was not worth living today and to hope for a tomorrow. An unreprimanded life multiplies errors and is content with mediocrity.
Someone once asked me after church, after he heard me preach on striving to be like Our Father. He said, “Isn’t there benefit in overlooking one small flaw?” I spent the whole Sunday thinking about “small flaws.” What is a small flaw? I see that with many of the people I deal with. Church leaders and parents let a lot of things slide by because we are “too tired.” We don’t want another confrontation. But uncorrected errors do multiply. We have got to face them today or someday, but surely one day. So, we might as well face them on the spot. If you could do it over again with your children, friend or spouse, what would you have said to them. Or would you just say of their short comings, it’s a small flaw? And what should they be telling us that we don’t want to hear, repeating the mantra, this is only a small flaw. Uncorrected errors multiply. If there’s something under the surface, something you sense, you might as well just bring it right out today so that the world might benefit from your beautiful brain. True success of life lies in your timing, duty to details and sincerity.
The year is still young, with the first month having just one more week to end. How have you planned to run the race of faith this year, challenge yourself and brain? How do plan to deal with procrastination, fear, prejudice and complacency. What would you be remembered for by the end for or are you planning to be “evaluated for an empty one million dollars”? This week, aim to challenge yourself to be better rather than deceive yourself that small flaws don’t matter. They matter for the Lord!
May your week not be weak but with Him. I send you my prayerful wishes for the week. (By Fr. Ray®acc.GH)
