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The marvel of smallness in creation |
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Thursday, 14 February 2008 |
Rev. John C. Blackford
Religion Columnist
In a previous column the immensity of creation, as shown in astronomical studies, was considered. During the past century we have learned much about the incredible bigness of the starry expanses. But there is another dimension that is equally amazing. It is the smallness that is basic in all of creation.
All we see and touch is built upon the smallest quantities of which we can conceive.
One hundred years ago, while searching the heavens, we also began intensive studies of the atom, which, although too small to be seen, can be detected by instruments, studied and utilized. The field of atomic physics is as fascinating as that of astronomy.
The key formula in the study of the atom is e=mc2, that is, energy equals mass times velocity squared. It explains the tremendous power within the atom, the building block of all substance. Atoms are composed of a nucleus, or center, around which there are electrons and protons.
While the mass of an atom is extremely small, the speed of its components around their nucleus, which is 186,000 miles/second, gives the atom the potential for the production of large amounts of energy. The harnessing of this power made possible the development of the atomic bomb, which brought about the ending of World War II. Today our nuclear power plants operate on this principle.
When the writer entered college in 1938 he had plans to become an engineer. After his freshman year, he served part of the summer as athletic director at a church camp. The Lord spoke to his heart at camp, and he made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as his personal savior. The same day he felt God was calling him into the Gospel ministry, and began to change his academic plans.
The writer enjoyed his engineering courses so much that he continued in his major field, and graduated with a degree in physics and mathematics. Along with these courses, to begin to prepare for the ministry, he studied religion, philosophy, sociology, economics and history. Following college he attended theological school and took classes designed to prepare one for the ministry.
Shortly after graduation he entered the Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy.
Although the writer’s primary college courses did not directly prepare him for the more than 65 years of ministry that have followed, he believes they gave him an understanding of the world and its people that has been invaluable.
In one of his college years, the writer studied both astronomy and atomic physics — the largest and the smallest quantities in creation. Perhaps what is most deeply impressive is that at the center of it all is humankind.
To our knowledge, only we in all creation can relate to both of them and make a connection. God has given this gift to us, among his many bestowals, and only we have this ability.
Astronomically, we are incredibly small; atomically, we are incredibly large. And in the sight of the Almighty, we are incredibly gifted and blessed and the sole recipients of the comprehension of these things. Such a being surely merits our faith and love.
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