The secret to success is not chasing down a little green guy guarding his pot of gold. As we look into the sky and see a rainbow, we look frantically for where the end may be and for a brief moment we play with the thought; Is it true? Can I really reach the end? How much gold is really there? But we don’t really look intently at the amazement of the rainbow itself. What is it? How is it made? Why does it appear the way it does?
The fantasy of finding a pot of gold is just that – a fantasy. The closer you get to the end of the rainbow the farther it moves away from you. It is a pursuit that will end in frustration and heartache. I once heard a story of a young man that always wanted to take the easy way out. He didn’t have a very good work ethic and always wanted everything for free.
His grandfather, a very wealthy man always suffered knowing that his grandson would never grow up to know the qualities of a good day of hard work and blisters. He prayed nightly for his grandson but to no avail. He would try and talk with him but it seemed the young man’s idea of success was totally off track. He always tried to take the easy way out, or look for a quick fix. He would turn and quickly run to any rainbow he saw. He had always been led astray for that huge pot of gold that never would appear.
One day the grandfather made a box and marked on it, “The secret to my success”. Many years later when the young man finally noticed it for the first time he asked: “What’s in the box, Grandpa”? “The Box,” he said “Holds the secret to all my wealth, my peace and my contentment. The boy wanted it but the grandfather asked him to spend some time with him daily to learn more about what he is seeking. The young man was always too busy searching for his success in superficial things and false rainbows. He never seemed to have time to sit with his Grandpa to learn more about the wisdom of success and the character it took to get it.
Time passed and the Grandfather finally passed away. The room was full but solemn and quiet at the reading of his will. His monetary fortune was given away to everyone except the grandson. The young man was really upset. He stood up to say something when all of a sudden the mediator read his name out loud and said “To my grandson – I give my hand carved box that reads “The secret to my success”. The boy was so excited. He ran out of the room, down the stairs and into a beautiful sun filled field where no one else would find the secret. When he opened the box he found a worn, torn and tattered bible that was penned with notes, clippings, and pictures.
On the inside cover in new ink, it read “To my grandson that I hold so dear in my heart. Let this bible be the rainbow you pursue and may the pot of gold you find be the wisdom of the proverbs that will lead you to the cross. Search for it like you would the rainbow”. The grandson looked to the heavens fell on his knees and sobbed. My friend, Don’t fear what the scriptures say as the answers to all your questions are held within those 66 books.
To Your Success –