The Tortoise and the Hare

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5
The Tortoise and the Hare, we all know the story. It’s pretty much a classic. We have two animals in a race – on one side, there’s the Tortoise. He’s much slower than the Hare, but he’s also determined and diligent. On the other side, we have the Hare. He’s much faster, but he’s also lazy, conceited, and distracted. He believes that there is no way the Tortoise could beat him, so he takes a nap halfway throughout the race, and when he runs to the finish line afterward – spoiler alert – he finds the tortoise had beaten him in the race.
When we look at our Christian walk, who do we resemble more – the Tortoise or the Hare? Really think about it!
If we’re the Tortoise, we try to run the race with diligence and determination. The Tortoise had his eyes on the prize, he had a clear end goal in mind. Our goal, according to Philippians 3:14, is the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 talks about running the race with endurance and perseverance, with our eyes fixed on Him, and 1 Corinthians 9:24 states Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
If we’re the Hare, on the other hand, we can be lazy and we can be distracted. If you’re a Hare, maybe you don’t read the Word nearly as often as you should or you’re not consistent in sharing the gospel. Maybe your devotions aren’t really in-depth and you’re just reading a quick Bible verse in the beginning of the day. Maybe sometimes you might take “naps” by hitting the snooze button on your spiritual disciplines, or maybe sometimes you’re easily distracted by other things (like your phone) and forget to keep your eyes on the prize. And maybe your distractions are even genuinely good things, like serving in church, but you get so distracted by the work that you forget to focus on Jesus.
Of course, as Christians, we all resemble the Tortoise in many areas of our lives and we resemble the Hare in others. That’s why it’s so great that as long as we’re seeking His face, He is constantly molding us to the image of His Son… I sure do love Him!
Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!