Philosophy

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him.  You could see an empty jar and a box of sand.  When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2" in diameter.  He then asked the students if the jar was full.  They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.  He shook the jar lightly.  The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.  He then asked the students again if the jar was full.  They agreed it was.

Next, the professor picked up the box of sand and poured it into the jar.  Of course, the sand filled up everything else.  He then asked once more if the jar was full.  The students responded with a unanimous "Yes."

Then, the professor said "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.  The rocks are the most important, they represent Jesus (the rock).  If everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.  The pebbles represent your family and friends.  They also are important.  The sand represents everything else in your life, like your job, house, car...the small stuff.  If I would have put the sand in first, nothing else would have fit in the jar.  The same goes for your life.  You need to put Jesus first, so that all the other things may be added onto you.  If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that really matter.  Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life.  Focus on Jesus and spend time with your family.  There will always be time to go to work, clean the house and mow the lawn.  Take care of the rocks first.  Because the rest is just sand."