Once again we turn to a thoughtful “lesson in living” from the pen of Reverend Mark Adams, Senior Pastor of Redland Baptist Church in Rockville, Maryland:
Back in 1969, in a science lab in New Jersey, Canadian physicist Willard Boyle and his colleagues invented the concept of an electronic eye. Using their knowledge of mathematics and the behavior of light, they provided the science behind digital cameras known as “a charged-coupled device” or “CCD.” The CCD technology revolutionized photography, making it possible for light to be captured electronically instead of on film.
CCD technology is used on the Hubble telescope and the Mars Lunar probe. It was Boyle’s invention that allowed us to see the surface of Mars for the first time. In 2009, Boyle was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
A few years after the original invention of CCD technology, Boyle walked into a store to purchase a new digital camera which was, of course, based on his invention. During the visit, the salesman tried to explain the intricacies of the digital camera, but stopped, feeling it was too complicated for his elderly customer to understand.
According to one long-time friend, Boyle was normally a humble man, but on this occasion he was taken aback by the salesman’s arrogance and disrespect. So Boyle bluntly replied: “No need to explain. I invented it.” When the salesman didn’t believe him, Boyle told the salesman to type “Willard S. Boyle” into his computer and see for himself. A Nikon representative in the store heard the exchange and immediately came over to have his photograph taken with the famous inventor.
Many times we act like that impatient salesman in that we foolishly think we know how life works and don’t consult the Inventor of life itself.
Isaiah 40:12-16 humbles those of us who embrace this haughty attitude: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed Him as His counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge or showed Him the path of understanding?”
The wonderful truth is when we ask for guidance from our Creator, He graciously gives it. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
© 2012 Mark Adams
Keys . . .
A couple of days ago, I was digging through one of my “resource” files and came across something I had written several years ago … apparently for sharing in some gathering…
I’m finally beginning to learn … the two keys to Successful Living:
LISTENING & LEANING!
To begin with … we must:
- Open our Eyes
- Open our Ears
- Open our Minds
Through quiet time, Bible reading, prayer – listening for those messages coming our way from the Lord.
And the other Key: Leaning on Him constantly … and drawing strength and power from Him!
Marlin
