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  THE THRILL OF THE MOMENT
  by Hugh Black
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Summary: This sermon emphasizes the importance of focusing on present
opportunities and responsibilities rather than getting distracted by
distant or romanticized ideas.

Topics: "Christian Wisdom", "Everyday Faith"
Scripture References: Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 17:24, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Matthew 6:34, Colossians 3:23

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DESCRIPTION
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Hugh Black emphasizes the importance of wisdom and understanding,
contrasting it with the foolishness of those who are always seeking
something grand in distant places instead of appreciating the
opportunities right in front of them. He highlights the tendency to
dream about achieving greatness elsewhere, neglecting the present duties
and responsibilities. Black challenges the notion that only those with
grand aspirations are of superior nature, pointing out that true
imagination is found in appreciating the beauty and depth of everyday
life. He encourages the audience to find wisdom in understanding and
valuing the common experiences and people around them.

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CONTENT
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"Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool
are in the ends of the earth"

(Prov. 17:24).

We all know something of the attraction of distance, the romance of the
unknown; and we are inclined to minimise present opportunities by
dreaming about some larger sphere where we would do great things. Not
here, but somewhere in the ends of the earth, is the occasion we need to
draw out our unsuspected powers. The first duty is the duty near at
hand; but that is too small for the fool whose eyes are in the ends of
the earth. The distant, the far-away affects imagination easily; it can
soar and fly without breaking wings against hard facts. Some think that
it is because they are of superior nature, of a finer texture of
imagination, that they take no interest in the life around them, but
divert themselves with vain dreams, building castles in the air, turning
ever towards the ends of the earth for their high thoughts and noble
aspirations. But really, such an imagination is of the commonest and
lowest type. It is lack of imagination to be unable to enter with
insight and sympathy into the common life around, to see only the
commonplace in what is common, to see none of the romance and pathos and
heroism of lowly life. Even from the point of view of art that is the
triumph of imagination, to throw a glory round the usual and interpret
the common in loving sympathy. Any one can imagine thrilling adventures
in China or Peru or in the islands of the sea, but few can show us the
treasures of heart and soul in the common life ungilded by the halo of
romance. Truly wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding,
but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/hugh-black/the-thrill-of-the-moment/
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