Today's Business Lessons
Amusing, awful, artificial
By Francis J. Kong
(The Philippine Star) Updated March 03, 2012
This is a Business Matters classic. Allow me to share this with you.
“This cathedral is amusing, awful and artificial.” St. Paul’s
Cathedral architect Sir Christopher Wren heard the king utter these
words in the late 1600s during the royal family’s tour of the
newly-built cathedral in London. Upon hearing them, the architect
became delighted. Actually, he was more than delighted – he was
thrilled beyond belief!
You’re probably thinking, how could the architect be possibly delighted over such a negative remark to his work?
Well, it’s because the word “amusing” meant “amazing” back then,
“awful” meant “awesome”, and “artificial” meant “artistic”! The king
was not insulting the work of the famous architect. He was, in fact,
paying Sir Christopher Wren the highest compliment!
Over time, and across cultures and languages, words change their
meanings. Sometimes it’s done on purpose; sometimes it’s not. For
instance, bread today may also mean money. Dough would have a similar
meaning. Wheels no longer refer to just those circular objects that
turn; today, it can mean one whole car. And coke is no longer just soft
drinks – it will mean something else for a shady character.
Even the Bible is not exempted from semantic transformation. Such is
the case with the third beatitude, which says, “Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.”
Most of us would probably go, “Meek? Who wants to be meek these days?” I used to find it more acceptable when the Bible
says things like standing up against temptation and resisting the evil
one. Because I get to retain my macho image. But to be meek? Nope, not
my thing.
I wouldn’t want to be compared to a sheep either. Sheep are frail,
weak and dumb. I’d rather be likened to a lion or a panther or a
cheetah. Something fierce and strong. That would be good for my male
ego.
But when Jesus spoke of being meek, He hadn’t meant “having no guts
or strength or backbone”. He had meant being obedient to God.
Throughout the Bible, meekness is used to describe those who have
committed themselves completely to God, who are totally doing God’s
will. Now people like those are far from being weak and wimpy, believe
me.
A meek person understands that he should spend quality time with his
wife and kids, so he politely says no to the pressures of his
officemates to hang out at night “with just the boys.” Even when
everybody else is practicing dishonesty in their work, a meek person
refuses to compromise without taking on a holier-than-though attitude –
and without losing his temper even when provoked or taunted.
That’s a lot of pressure to handle. No sissy could handle that. In
responding to the call to be meek, it would perhaps help to be reminded
of Moses. Referred to as the meekest man of all, he was used by God to
perform miracles, he “split open” the Red Sea, and he led the Jews out
of Egypt. This guy is no pushover.
Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is power under control. It is
knowing that you have the power, and yet refusing to wield it to show
off and boost your ego.
Don’t let culture change the meaning and essence of this beatitude.
Be meek in the truest sense. This ideal will never depreciate in value
over time.
No comments:
Post a Comment