4 February 2010
Pencil Philosophy
The reading is taken from The Epistle of Saint Paul, to the Romans Chapter 8 verse 28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called according to this purpose
This is the word of The Lord. Thanks be to God
This time I want to tell you a story, full of wisdom from a pencil. As narrated, a pencil will be wrapped and sold to the market. By the marker, the pencil was advised on the tasks that it will perform. So, some of the advice was given to the pencil. This is what the maker says to the pencil.
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O pencils, your first and foremost duty is to help people find it easier to write. You can perform any function, but your main job is as a writer. If you fail to function as stationery, jammed, broken, then your main task fail.”
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Second, so you can function perfectly, you will experience the process of refinement. Indeed it is going to be painful, but that’s what will make you useful and function optimally.
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Third, it is not outside yourself which is important, the main and most useful thing is within you. That’s what makes you valuable and useful to mankind “.
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Fourth, you can not function alone. In order to be useful and beneficial, then you should allow yourself to work with people who use you “.
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Fifth. At last moment, what you have produced will show how great you are the real you. Pencils which will be considered successful, not when they are still complete but when they have help produce the best work, which function until the shortest cut. That’s what really makes then reach their goal “.
Since then, the pencils were put into the box, wrapped, packed, and sold into the market for people who need them.
Dear teachers and students, these pencils also remind us of our purpose and mission in this world. I also believe that it is not without cause we are and were created or born in this world.
Clearly, there is a purpose in us that need to be fulfilled and completed.
Just as the pencil, we also have our own purpose in this world. Whatever the profession is, I believe our awareness of the purpose and the call of our live, will make our lives more meaningful.
Thus, from the philosophy of our pencil on learn about five important things in life.
First, life must have a definite purpose. Whatever the job, profession or role we play in this world, we must be efficient. If not, we will be in vain /useless.
Unfortunately, we were born without an instruction manual or book that explains our role in this world. The search for the destination and our calling, become an important theme for us lives in the world.
Obviously, our lives are meant to be useful, beneficial and positive for the people around us. If not, then we are useless.
Just like a pencil that can not be used to write, so he is not helpful at all.
Second, the process of sharpening will occur so that we can use it optimally. Therefore, we come across difficulties, obstacles or challenges. Everything is useful and helpful, so we always learn from them to become better.
Third, it is the internal part of ourselves which is playing the important role. In the end, what lies within us such as character, ability, talent, motivation, morale, that mindset will be more affected than the outside view of ourselves.
Fourth, to function perfectly, the pencil teach us to work to succeed, sometimes we must learn from a pencil to ’submit’ and allow ourselves to be transformed into the perfect tool to learn and hear from experts. That is why, the ability to learn to work together with others, listen to others, learn from the ‘teacher’ who can make us better.
Finally, the pencil has taught us a valuable things to leave something good to others. That is the philosophy of ‘giving and serving’ as taught by our Lord. That’s why Mother Teresa of Calcutta or Albert Schweitzer in Africa serving more. Assuming them like a pencil that is used by God.
Let us pray
Thank you, Lord, for this new day
Help us to be good today
And lead us to be a pencil that is used by You, so we make a good mark in our surrounding.
Amen.