What lasts?
Why does what lasts, matter?
At the Comenius Institute, we believe in preserving the great, lasting ideas and ideals passed down to us.
Why? Why do permanent things matter? Watch our Truth in Two to hear the answer (full text below).
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Picture Credit: Luke Renoe, Snappy Goat
FULL TEXT
I almost dropped the bar bell on my head. My eye had caught the words on a sign hanging in a weight room. The sign read, “I do not fear failure as much as I fear that I will be successful at things which really do not matter.” Think about that. I have to ask myself, “What things really do not matter?” For me the list would include wealth, status, notoriety, position, or cultural praise. The opposite question is just as important. “What are the things that ultimately matter?”
What ultimately matters are permanent things. What are permanent things? I believe everyone, everywhere could agree to this list: (1) the health of our families, (2) institutions which bring order, justice, and freedom, (3) education which equips students with tools to own their beliefs, and (4) opportunities in life for independence, community, and prosperity.
Permanent things give stability to a nation. Permanent things ward off groups who want to usurp power. Permanent things create the potential for honor in the public square. Permanent things bring the possibility of fairness, equity, and care for all people.
Permanent things depend on the ancient idea of telos or “ends.” Just like us, Hebraic-Christian thinkers asked questions like, “What is something I can count on?” “In the end, what matters?” and “What lasts?” The Bible gives the answer again and again. “God is from everlasting to everlasting.” There is an eternal God who gives the basis for what matters most. The latest cultural fad is no match for permanent principles for how to live life.
If we want order, justice, freedom, honor, and care for all people it is best to trust the everlasting God for lasting things. Being successful at what matters most, what is permanent, will keep us from dropping the bar bell on our heads.
For Truth in Two, this is Dr. Mark Eckel, President of the Comenius Institute, personally seeking Truth wherever it’s found.