“The race isn’t won by fast runners, or the battle by heroes. Wise people don’t necessarily have food. Intelligent people don’t necessarily have riches, and skilled people don’t necessarily receive special treatment…” Ecclesiastes 9:11 (God’s Word Translation)
We all know Aesop’s story about the tortoise and the hare, right? We learned it as kids and it has left a lasting impression on most of us. I bet if I asked you the moral of the story you would say “slow and steady wins the race.” And, while it’s true that ”slow and steady wins the race” is clearly the intended message, the statement simply isn’t true.
Aesop was wrong.
Maybe only partially wrong.
The real truth is that speed, or the lack of it, would have little to do with the tortoise winning that race. The real cause of his victory was the other part. The steady part. The hare would clearly win that race any day if he stayed focused and consistent… and resisted the temptation to be overconfident in his ability to win.
The ability to win doesn’t mean you win. It just means you are built to win. Crossing the finish line in victory is about diligence. Your diligence. Victory is about giving your best. It’s about putting your heart in it. All the time. Every time. Victory is also about being humbly confident in your giftings.
In real life, the race is not with others – it’s a race with yourself. It’s race of your performance versus your potential.
The other side of the moral: let’s not use ”slow and steady wins the race” as an excuse to be slow any more. Let’s be more resolved to be consistent.
I think the real moral of the story should be “steady and humble wins the race.”
Agree? Why or why not?
