I recently re-read Spencer Johnson, MD’s classic book, “Who Stole My Cheese?” First published in 1998, this allegory still resonates with many of us today. As the speed of change in our world seems to increase every day-perhaps more in the marketplace than anywhere else-this little book continues to live up to its subtitle, “An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life.”
If you’re not familiar with the story, it’s about two mice (Sniff and Runner) and little men (Ham and Hav) who travel through a maze in search of cheese. When they discover an abundant supply, they return to the same spot every day, enjoying their cheese. Then one day the cheese disappears.
After a bit of confusion, puzzled as to what happened to the cheese that was always there, the mice start looking for it elsewhere in the maze. Eventually, their efforts are rewarded as they find a cheese that is bigger and better than before. However, the little people at first refuse to accept that their familiar cheese is gone forever. They return day after day to the same spot, but find no cheese.
Eventually Ham, driven by hunger, decides to look for cheese elsewhere in the maze. However, his colleague Hav is stubborn. He refuses to accept that the cheese will no longer lie in the same place. “Who stole my cheese?” – he keeps asking.
The “cheese” story is familiar to many thousands of business and professional people. Their desire may not be for real cheese – their “cheese” may be more clients, a more successful career, more money, a happier life, or something else. Going back to the same place in search of that “cheese” when the supply is exhausted is futile. The search for the “cheese” must have a different path.
In my own career, the “cheese” has disappeared many times. Often this change was disconcerting. I was comfortable doing the job I was doing. It was familiar, I felt in control, but the prospect of making major changes was unsettling, to say the least.
Scripture does not specifically talk about cheese, but it does address problems when someone or something we think is stealing our “cheese.” Here are just a few examples of how faith can help when we don’t find our “cheese” in its usual place.
Everything has its time. Few things in life remain unchanged. Change, whether we like it or not, is inevitable:«To everything there is a time, and a time for every thing under heaven…a time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted…a time to destroy, and a time to build….» (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
God determines when the “cheese” must be stolen. When change becomes necessary, we can trust that God already knows what is best for us: «For [only] I know the intentions that I have for you, says the Lord, intentions for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope» (Jeremiah 29:11).
When our “cheese” is missing, it is usually for the better. God has an overarching purpose and He fits the changes we face in life into His overall plan: «Commit your works to the Lord, and your enterprises will be accomplished. The Lord has done all things for His own sake; and even the wicked [watches over] the day of trouble….» (Proverbs 16:3-4). «The heart of man ponders his way, but the Lord directs the march of his procession» (Proverbs 16:9).
© 2023. Robert J. Tamasi has written “Ambassadors of the Marketplace: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship”; “Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace”; “Seeking Life with the Heart of a Shepherd,” co-authored with Ken Johnson; and “The Heart of Mentoring,” co-authored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s bi-weekly blog: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Questions for reflection/discussion
- Had you heard of the book “Who Stole My Cheese?” before reading “Manna for Monday?” What do you think of this allegory as it is briefly described?
- Can you imagine the mice and “little people” who were surprised to find that the cheese was missing from its accustomed place? Think back to a time when your own “cheese” was stolen. How did you react to the situation? Were you more like the mice who quickly decided to look for it elsewhere, or were you more like Ham and Hav, stubbornly or reluctantly waiting for the cheese to return to its familiar place? Explain your answer.
- What factors in the 21st century marketplace cause our “cheese” to move frequently when it seems most inconvenient or unexpected?
- How can our faith in the Lord give us strength and confidence as we try to deal with the consequences of unexpected or unwanted changes in our lives or careers? How can it help us respond as we try to discover where our “cheese” may have gone missing?
NOTES. If you have a Bible and want to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:25, 21:2; Isaiah 26:3, 41:10; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7