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.

If the tales in the Bible are any indication, God can be a bit heavy-handed by our human standards when He wants to teach us harsh lessons.

Perhaps this latest global epidemic is another harsh, overdue lesson.

If we reference the more familiar events in the Bible, the flood of Noah, the fall of walls of Jerico, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the plagues of Egypt, we can see that God can use some severe methods to get His point across. Perhaps Covid19 is another example.

In each case, humanity seemed to have gotten off track from God’s plan for the human race. In each case, there were lessons to be learned.

So, if Covid19 is another of God’s lessons, what are we learning? And just as importantly, how can He allow such suffering?

As difficult as it may be, if we step back and widen our perspective, we might recognize some of those lessons.

The quarantine situation has allowed families to reconnect with each other. It has allowed us to discover an appreciation for the social connections we took for granted. We have learned to appreciate the gatherings at sporting events, concerts and other public events that we now find ourselves unable to attend.

Many of us have learned compassion. We have learned to reach out to those less fortunate. We have re-ignited the faded flames of our imagination and found ways to contribute that we had never thought of. We have learned to appreciate the invisible providers that serve us without fanfare. We have learned generosity. We have learned the value of loved ones and special friends. We have learned to extend a hand of friendship and compassion across borders.

What about the cost? What about the pain? What about the suffering and the deaths?

In trying to understand God’s actions, we are, once again, handicapped by our human perspective. We are handicapped by the limits of our life experiences. We fail to appreciate that any amount of pain, suffering or grief that we experience is a mere pinprick in an infinite existence. Even death is just a bump in the road on the way to a glorious hereafter.

Perhaps we can find relief by reflecting on that moment when God embraced the pain of our human experience by that ultimate sacrifice on the cross perched on the hillside outside Jerusalem.

Sadly, we humans seem to require drastic lessons from time to time.

Perhaps humanity will emerge from this latest crisis with renewed hope.and renewed commitment to embrace a relationship with our God.

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The closest thing we have ever come to a universal language is music. Perhaps there is a good reason. You might say that music is the native language of the angels.

It seems that every culture, every nation, every race has an appreciation for music. It might be as simple as a rhythmic beat on a hollow log. It might be as complex as a symphony orchestra. It might be the sweet voices of a children’s’ choir or the otherworldly tones of an electronic instrument.

And it’s not just us. Animals seem to respond to music as well. Most of us have seen videos of the elephant who loves piano music, the herd of cows that cross the pasture to approach the musician playing some instrument on the other side of the fence. Dogs chiming in with their voices to accompany music is a familiar sight.

The easiest explanation appears to be that music is tied to emotion. The sounds of “Amazing Grace” can bring tears long after the funeral where it was played. That sad song about a lost love can resurrect old pain. That special love song can bring back memories of a time when love was young and fresh. On the most basic level, animals seem to enjoy music, and we could categorize “enjoyment as an emotional response.

Okay. So music is tied to emotion. What has that to do with our efforts to find the relationship between faith and logic?

Plenty.

If we look at music logically, it serves no purpose. It doesn’t help plant the spring crops. It doesn’t heat your home, fix a flat tire or feed your family (unless you are a professional musician). What it does do is fuel or amplify emotion.

Our emotions, on the other hand, are critical to our existence. It is the emotion of love or desire that drives procreation. The emotion of fear protects us from potentially lethal situations. The emotion of sorrow provides the contrast that enhances the emotion of joy.

It is our complex package of emotions and our tendency to be drawn to music that provides a new level of confidence that we are the product of intelligent creation rather than an accident of nature. It is that same package that demonstrates our connection to the spirit world.

When we consider the possibilities that a random pattern of evolution and accidents of nature led to our existence, our logic test won’t support those possibilities. What random chemical formula would create an appreciation of music? What random mix of chemicals creates a library of emotions?

Perhaps the love of music is our way of learning the language of the angels so that we will be ready when our day comes to join their company.