Parable for today…

With no consideration for tomorrow, what are we doing now?

A group of young men sat pondering the wisdom of the moment. One thing leading to another they quickly drew to the source of wisdom… found in them!

Who besides God is wise? Piped up one, to show himself at least knowing who is the wisest.

Well yes, but what shall we do now? Said another. If we sit and ponder long enough, the darkness will fall upon us.

We should not fear the darkness but we should be reminded of the change it brings… like not seeing clearly. Said one trying to show some insight.

And what of the coldness it brings? Said another.

What shall we do? Letting fear of discomfort and the prospect of who knows what be addressed next or ever.

Well we could all stay together, and huddle against the cold. Invited one as a possibility.

But shall we be able to see. Said another.

We are many and we’ll be OK together. Was yet another reply?

We can see now and we shall do what is wise. Retorted another.

Why don’t we just build a fire? Said one returning to an admonition of wisdom.

And who shall lead?

Do you know how to build a fire big enough for all of us and one that will last through the darkness? The question was pointed who would answer… would that commit them to do the work as proof? Some thought.

Wait a moment… how long do you think the darkness will last? Piped up another.

It makes no difference how long it will last as long as we discuss it, we will have some answers. Let us continue. Said one who was desperately trying to appear to be very wise in there midst.

We need not fear anything as long as we are working out solutions. Said another playing off the last remark.

Fear will not over take us with our collective wisdom. Said another to flatter and appear wise at the same time, chuckling to himself.

There are other options… we could break up into small groups and discuss solutions at a later time. Said one who wanted to remove himself from the fearful and form an elite group of leaders without the weak ones.

Is that wise? Said another seeking to appear wise and bring the conversation back on track.

A few chuckles mixed with smiles of confidence and remarks started to flow freely again…

With what we know we could solve any problem. We are all well read… and we’re smart enough to see who the wisest is. Said one making an open bid for recognition as the wisest.

There is only one wise one… that is God. Repeating his prior remark and trying to put himself in a position to speak for God. Would they bite?

They continued to discuss who was the wisest… slowly the night began to fall and they huddled closer as they began to get cold.

We are wise, we are fearless, and we are brave! Was heard, as most applauded the comment.

We are too wise to allow circumstance to over come us. Said another.

Right let us now deal with the darkness together… we have comfort here among one another and our collective wisdom shall lead us. Here, here, was the chant to this remark.

Fire now or fire later… we decide and we shall prevail… drunk with certainty most were spitting out comment after comment, to best the last statement, to out do. … One chide, or question, a snippet here and a diatribe there… the air was fill by sounds as one by one, added to the din… lost to the darkness as it enfolded them and with it the cool of evening turning slowly into the cold of night…

A small voice was heard, can we pray? One sought to intervene… to wit all had a good laugh… even the one who spoke joined in not to be further shamed.

God is with us one shouted… He gave us wisdom screamed another numbed… we just need to see who will rise to the top to lead us… we have time… time is on our side…

The wise just need time… and the remarks ensued… top this…

Wearily they began to fall asleep one at a time… they then agreed as the cold took it’s toll… we don’t have to see you we can hear you… who will be the last to speak… the one who was left would be the wisest.

Then there was one… making his last remark he thought, but who will know… and then there were none…