Opposable Digits Are Anything But
Many (particularly naturalists) would argue that science and faith enjoy ZERO compatibility. But is it true that science and faith must be so diametrically opposed to one another?
Consider opposable digits. They are wondrous things. Most primates have them. But mans’ thumbs are uniquely designed for ultimate coordination:
The human opposable thumb is longer, compared to finger length, than any other primate thumb. This long thumb and its ability to easily touch the other fingers allow humans to firmly grasp and manipulate objects of many different shapes. The human hand can grip with strength and with fine control, so it can throw a baseball or sign a name on the dotted line.
So what do opposable digits have to do with the marriage of science and faith? Well, the noted scientist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics 1915, Sir William Bragg, made this astute connection …
Christianity and science are opposed … but only in the same sense as that which my thumb and forefinger are opposed — and between them, I can grasp everything.
Science and faith do not oppose one another. They fully and completely compliment one another. Science declares the heights and depths and intricacies of God’s creative powers, while faith gives reason to all of it.
“Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them” (Psalms 111:2, ESV).
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, ESV).
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalms 19:1, ESV).
It's not WHAT you know; it's WHO you know!
For those of us from average American households, we don't always have the finances to just call a plumber, electrician, auto mechanic, or craftsman everytime something goes amuck in our lives or homes. If we don't have the resources and don't have the necessary skill or knowledge to address the issue, we start knocking on the neighbors' doors to ask for a helping hand. If that neighbor doesn't have the particular skill set either, they'll likely, at the least, "know a guy who knew a guy" who might help.
For example, growing up, I didn't consider my dad to be a particularly religious or spiritual man, but he did teach me spiritual lessons from time to time without even knowing it. For instance, he was a police officer and knew a lot of people, but he wasn't very handy when it came to "fixing things." So whenever the car broke down or a light switch needed to be replaced, his many community contacts ensured that he either knew guy, or would at least know a guy who knew a guy. To that point, he would often say, "It's not what you know; it's who you know."
Even though he couldn't fix a certain problem himslef, he always would know someone who could — and most of the time, it cost him nothing.
It's not what you know; it's WHO you know.
Life is full of challenges that, as mere mortals, we are utterly ill equipped to handle on our own. We lack the wisdom, strength, or even the understanding. That is why we are called to tap into the One Who does!
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:29, ESV).
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63, ESV).
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, ESV).
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, FOR APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING" (John 15:4-5, ESV).
Are you wasting your life?
A 2022 poll taken in Britain showed that, on average, people waste almost 2 hours per day, which comes out to 26 full days per year. This includes things like waiting on hold, waiting in traffic, and in general just waiting for life. Frankly, I'm surprised that the number isn't even higher.
Business professionals also say that they waste much of their work time being interupted by co-workers and employees, attending unecessary meetings, and replying to phone calls and e-mails.
Most of us also know how much time social media and playing stupid games on our phones can waste.
A few weeks before he died, the American novelist Jack London said, “The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.”
How much of your time do you simply waste?
It’s important for us to think about how we’re living. We shouldn’t want our lives to be wasted. This is even more important for believers, since we exist for a purpose: to glorify God. But part of the good news of the gospel is that with God as our Father, Jesus as our Savior, and the Holy Spirit as our Guide, we can truly live.