The Hamster’s Lesson: Get Off of the Wheel

The hamster has nothing on me. We share a common experience.

I had a friend who owned a hamster. The fascinating creature ate, slept…and one more thing.

It ran on a wheel.

The little legs hustled without a destination. Around and around the wheel went. The hamster got off long enough to eat and sleep.

Then, it was back to the wheel.

I am intimate kinship to the hamster.

For most of my life, I have labored to labor better. A new system or the latest hack might take me off the wheel. That perfect app would revolutionize my time.

I could save time, make time, and have time with them.

Life would be easy if I could only stumble on to the secret nugget of planning and doing.

But I realized I was on a wheel that goes nowhere and never ends. Doing more does not mean doing better.

The Bible counsels industry. Solomon directs us to the line of ants and their never-ending work.

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” (Proverbs 6:6, ESV)

At the same time, it warns of time’s gelatin nature. Time passes, regardless of how we manipulate it.

Moses says…

“For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even because of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:9–10, ESV)

Life’s mist evaporates, leaving little residue behind.

God gives us time to do as we want. But he also gives us the freedom to trash it or treasure it.

You can do whatever you want, but not all that you want. Make a choice.

That spiritual wheel reminds me that sand continues to fall through the hourglass regardless of what I do daily. How do I use time as God’s gift?

Quit doing what doesn’t need doing. As one man said, “Do not make efficient that which should not be done at all.” Take time to weigh life on eternity’s scales. Discard what leaves your soul empty.

Remember, no is a complete sentence.

Start doing what needs doing. Dan Pink, in his book Regrets, chronicled the regrets of people. One category is “the road not taken.” I should have…

The other is relationships. Many wish they could reach out to a friend they have not spoken to. However, they imagine it to be strained and uncomfortable.

It’s not. Pick up the phone. Get in the car. See the person you miss, you care about, that you share something precious.

Give thanks for the time you have. I know that every minute that passes is a gift of God. I don’t deserve the breath I draw but I can use it for something eternal and lasting.

I would rather watch the hamster than be the hamster. How about you?