It seems there is no end to the number of mysteries mankind seeks to unravel. From biology to chemistry, astronomy, physics, and beyond, there are unending puzzles to be solved. And every puzzle we solve brings us closer to understanding the level of knowledge that we would need to close the gap between earthly existence and existence in that spiritual realm we call heaven. It is a gap we can never hope to bridge, but it doesn’t prevent us from trying.
Perhaps one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity is the unlimited opportunity to learn, grow, and embrace new experiences. It is our ability to exploit those opportunities that truly separates us from the other life forms that share the earth with us.
We may marvel at the behavior of dolphins or how some apes seem to learn how to employ objects as tools, but we seldom acknowledge the obvious fact that such ability does not evolve to more complex behavior.
Mankind, on the other hand, has historically expanded and adapted his discoveries to advanced stages. Then he continues to seek out new improvements and uses. The discovery of fire may have been a milestone in human development, but learning to harness that energy to cook meals, heat homes and power vehicles is a testament to God’s gift of curiosity and drive to understand.
What’s more inspiring is that the topics we can explore seem to have no limit. And every time we seem to have reached the limits of understanding, new avenues are found. And every such experience provides us with evidence of the complexity of our existence and the very existence of the universe we inhabit.
In other words, we come closer to appreciating the unlimited knowledge and power of God, a goal we can never achieve. Instead, we set a new goal, a goal to come closer to that source of all knowledge, a goal to develop a relationship with God.
It’s as if God hands us a puzzle book, filled with unlimited challenges to inspire us to grow. But, when God hands us that puzzle book, perhaps we need to read the warning label before we journey too far.
Unfortunately, there are times when our quest for knowledge can lead us into dangerous waters. Our discoveries in the realm of the atom and how it functions have led to amazing benefits for humanity. But those same discoveries have enabled us to develop nuclear weapons that could exterminate humanity.
Perhaps we should have been wise enough to realize that there were other lessons to be learned before we tackled the advanced studies.
Perhaps we should have left that apple on the tree.