In silence we wait and let others influence us with shock and fear. Their tongues, without bone or brawn, have the power to destroy both hearts and worlds. Yet, why do we listen when another voice offers us life?
Many years ago there was a businessman who was so excessive that he spent all of his money on new commercials to advertise the businesses that he owned. He cared little for his office equipment. He cared less for his workers. His only concern was that the outside of his businesses looked brilliant so that he could keep making commercials. Where most business owners would be thinking about long term goals, returns on investments, and the quality of all the resources in their care, the businessman’s only concern was having a new commercial each and every week.
Time passed in the sleepy town, as it always does, until one day new whispers ﬂowed through the rivers of gossip. Two strangers had arrived, important strangers. Strangers who were said to be masters at creating beautiful and wondrous commercials.
It wasn’t long before the businessman heard of the strangers. He said, “Everyone knows me near and far. I am simply the best and so are my commercials! Surely the strangers have come into this town because they have heard of me and want to create some of my brilliant commercials.” And, the businessman waited.
And the business paced and waited.
And the businessman paced and paced.
Again and again the businessman sent for the strangers.
Again and again the strangers refused. Saying nothing more than no.
The town grew quiet. The days became still. Only whispered gasps besides cold cups of coffee could be heard.
And time passed slowly by.
The strangers sat quietly at the table and shook their heads no.
The businessman fumed and fussed. He pounded on the table. He paced around the room.
Again the strangers shook their heads.
The businessman left the room a defeated man. He paced the streets like a ghost.
All listened with rapt attention.
Time passed with quiet and stillness, except for the dejected businessman, and the secret smiles of two strangers.
The businessman pounded down the streets, past the watching townsfolk.
The businessman stormed back into the hotel.
It wasn’t long before the strangers sat happily in the studio, surrounded by their new and very expensive equipment. Eating the very best food that the town had to offer. Playing the best online video games that were available. Watching their favorite movies with a magnificent sound system. And all, without paying a dime. And all, without creating any commercials.
Day after day the businessman came to the studio’s door and waited.
The businessman, not wanting to interrupt the strangers’ creativity, walked back to his office and wore holes in his expensive and thick carpet.
Time crawled by while the money flowed into the stranger’s pockets like a raging river.
The businessman thought and thought.
So the faithful old adviser went into the studio where the strangers were working with all their might, at their blank screens. “What can be the meaning of this?” thought the old adviser, opening his eyes very wide. “I cannot discover the least bit of any characters or action or anything at all on the screens. The screens are totally blank.” However, he did not express his thoughts aloud.
The strangers kindly beckoned the old adviser to come nearer to their screens; and then asked him whether the designs pleased him, and whether the colors were not very beautiful, and the interactions amazing; while at the same time pointing to the empty screens.
“We would greatly appreciate that. Thank you kind sir.” And the strangers beamed with pride and once again bragged about all of the brilliant details of the nonexistent commercial.
The old minister listened attentively to every word in order that he might repeat them to the businessman.
Then the strangers asked for even more supplies, saying that it was necessary to complete what they had begun. When they received the extra supplies they stored them all in their very big RV – which had every nook and cranny overflowing with brand new equipment that was worth a small fortune.
The strangers continued to work with as much apparent diligence as before at their empty screens.
More time passed with nothing moving except for the large sums of money running to the strangers.
Finally, the businessman sent his administrative assistant to see how the strangers were getting on, and to see whether the commercials would soon be ready.
It was just the same with the administrative assistant as it was with the old adviser. The assistant surveyed the screens with great scrutiny, but could see nothing at all but the blank screens.
“Is not this commercial as brilliant to you, as it was to the businessman’s adviser?” asked the strangers, while at the same time making the same gestures as before, and talking of the design and clever actions, which were not there.
“I certainly am not stupid!” thought the assistant. “It must be, that I am not ﬁt for my good and proﬁtable job! That is very odd. However, no one shall know anything about this.” And accordingly, the assistant praised all that he could not see, and declared that he was delighted with both the designs and the thought provoking actions.
The businessman smiled with pride. Of course I am the hit of the town. Now, the businessman’s courage had grown enough that he wished to see the commercial himself. So, he traveled off to the studio, accompanied by a select number of business officers, among whom were the two honest men who had already admired the commercial.
The businessman went to the crafty strangers, who, as soon as they were aware of the businessman’s approach, went on working more diligently than ever – at blank screens.
Before the strangers could speak, the businessman’s adviser and assistant burst with excitement. “Is not the work absolutely magnificent? If you will be pleased to look at it. What a splendid design. What brilliant colors and action.” And they wildly pointed at the empty screens. For they imagined that everyone else could see this exquisite piece of workmanship.
“Oh! The commercial,” said the businessman, aloud. “It is truly brilliant, better than any of my other creations. It has my complete approval.” And he smiled most graciously, and looked closely at the empty screens; for never would he say that he could not see what the adviser and assistant had praised so much.
All his officers now strained their eyes, hoping to discover something on the screens, but they could see no more than the others. Without knowing what else to do, they all looked at each and said, “Magnificent! Brilliant! Excellent!” They all advised that the commercial be published the following day and shown to the entire town.
The strangers sat up the whole night with every light, in and around the studio, blazing so that everyone might see how anxious they were to finish the businessman’s newest commercial. They pretended to work feverishly to finish the final bits of their brilliant creation.
With great pomp and circumstance, the marchers marched to center of the town. A new giant screen was set up to show off the Businessman’s newest and most brilliant commercial. And, the strangers made a great show of setting up all of the equipment.
The mayor made a speech.
The high school band played.
Then all went quiet as a blue ribbon committee went to press the play button.
The townsfolk oohed and ahhed and wildly cheered and clapped their hands and each other’s shoulders as they watched the blank screen.
The businessman beamed with pride at his great creation.
After the strangers said that the commercial was finished, the townsfolk once again went quiet as the businessman made ready to give another speech.
The reactions were immediate and intense. Some workers for the businessman, along with many others, viciously attacked child. “You are obviously a stupid, nasty child who enjoys torturing small animals. You are unfit to attend our schools. We shall call the professionals immediately and test you for some brain disease.” And on and on they spewed and spewed.
No one spoke up to defend the child. No one spoke up, with compassion, to voice the cold, hard facts of what they saw = or did not see. No one spoke the truth in love. And the entire town continued on down the path to a destination where no one wanted to go.
And another life was lost … for no good reason.
In silence we wait and let others influence us with shock and fear. Their tongues, without bone or brawn, have the power to destroy both hearts and worlds. Yet, why do we listen when another voice offers us life? Just listen, and you’ll hear it too.
“Courage is the resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not the absence of fear.” Mark Twain.
The cave that your fear is guarding holds the treasure that you seek.
Every day greets you with a choice.
To replace fear of the unknown with curiosity and hope.
To replace fear of failure with trust and wisdom.
To replace fear ruling your life with faith in God.
For all of these blessings, we pray.