God’s everlasting word
the Rev. Bob Colerick, Special to The Gazette
Friday, October 30, 2009
This time of year is exciting — the seasons begin to change, baseball takes center stage, our annual candy binge on Halloween occurs, we celebrate World Communion Sunday, my favorite food, popcorn, is acclaimed all month, and, most exciting of all, I know I will finally get back that hour I lost in March when Daylight Saving Time started (I really resent losing that hour.)
It’s also when the Nobel Prizes for the year are announced. Isn’t it amazing how smart some of us are?
One of the prize recipients was Charles Kao who pioneered in the field of fiberoptics, somehow learning that information could be transmitted over flexible glass fibers. His work led him to realize that by eliminating impurities, glass could become an ideal medium for the propagation of high-frequency light. Come again?
And then there’s Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak who discovered telomeres (try using that in a sentence), which is part of the genetic code that protects the ends of chromosomes and telomerase, the enzyme that assists in this process. (Sounds to me like some episode of Star Trek. But I read that their discoveries will be important in the study of cancer, aging and stem cells. OK, but don’t ask me to explain it.)
I have the greatest respect for these intelligent and dedicated men and women whose work pushes the envelope of human learning. It is humbling to read of their research especially after struggling for hours to get the battery compartment cover off my television remote.
The way I understand it, the recipients of each prize, (e.g., physics, chemistry, economic sciences, peace, etc.) divide the money that goes along with the prize among the other recipients in their category. In other words, they have to share the money that comes with the prize, 10 million Swedish Kronors. It sounds like a lot of money but actually, 10 million Swedish Kronors are worth only about 1.5million dollars, which won’t even get you on the “nice try” page of the world’s richest people — and then you have to share it. Over the years there has been significant controversy surrounding the Nobel Prizes, especially in the case of Albert Einstein. Even so, I am thankful for the work these bright men and women have done. I’m also thankful that we have more than just human wisdom, ingenuity and strength on which to build our hopes and dreams and very lives. (Now where’s that %@(! phillips screwdriver — who designed this remote, anyway?) Some of us would be in severe trouble if all we had was our own wit and judgment to depend on.
It makes me feel good and somewhat comforted that we have the reassurance of the Lord that there is something more important, more lasting and eternal than my meager (maybe even pathetic) efforts. I like the words of Isaiah, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)
Without any desire to minimize the brilliant, insightful, seminal and creative work of many people over the centuries, there is only one candidate for truly abiding work: the living, all-powerful Word of God. The world needs the advancements in physics, medicine and peace (especially) but it needs even more the grace, forgiveness and peace offered in the Word of God.
I’m sure my life is made easier, safer and more productive because of the progress in fiberoptics, but even more than that, I am eternally grateful that my life has meaning and hope in the midst of the confusion and madness of life.
I’m grateful that the last word in this life will not be what I have accomplished or achieved (or not achieved) but will be the incomparable, unsurpassed Word of God. This promise is a precious gift bestowed on every believer regardless of his or her IQ, bank account, trophies or achievements. Thanks be to God!
• “Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from the Rev. Bob Colerick, senior minister at Emporia’s First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).