Big Fish, Little Fish

Last Saturday, My Love and I took her parents to the graduation of their LAST of 34 grandchildren. Their son Don's youngest, Luke, graduated with high honors from Elk Point-Jefferson High School, near Sioux City. We were all proud when Luke delivered a very impressive speech as the representative man of the class.

In addition to Luke's excellent discourse, I was struck by two other things during the graduation. First of all, of the 54 students in the graduating class, all but one were going on to some form of higher education, be it college, community college or trade school. It spoke very loudly to me of the high value and emphasis that their families and educators have instilled in them over the years.

Secondly, I was impressed by the fact that a large percentage of the graduates were entering fields related to science. There were future biology majors, pre-dentistry, nurses, physical therapists, veterinary medicine and dietetics. This fact told me that there must be a very strong science department in that school.

I began to wonder: Is it better to be a big fish in a little pond? Or a small fish in a big pond? For years I have pondered this. I have met many people who have risen to the "top of their heap" however small the heap may have been. They have found and developed their talents and specialties until they have excelled to the point of standing out from the crowd. They may be the best in their field of endeavor.

But I always have the question: How much of their ability has really been realized? As we become more proficient in any given area, it seems to always be at the expense of developing other areas of our life. Our field of focus tends to get narrower. I've heard it said of specialists: "They learn more and more about less and less, until finally they know everything about nothing."

Is it not better to be a broadly developed person, knowledgeable in many areas? A well-rounded person certainly fits in much better in more varied situations. A person who is comfortable with different kinds of folks with varying educational and developmental levels is certainly more pleasant to be around, to work with, to share life with.

For me, the answer is not simple. We only have one life to live. We can only choose one path which may then branch off in various directions. It is possible to make changes, adjustments to our course, but only to a limited degree.

When I see young people, like Luke and his classmates, I think that they have their whole life ahead of them. What an exciting reality filled with infinite possibilities! I only pray that they will make the right choices that will bring them the fullness of life that God has in store for each of us.