“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1
What if we lived in a world where 1 + 1 did not equal 2? What if you could never be confident in the sum really being equal to two. What if we could not rely upon the observations of the world around us?
We could not know anything with confidence.
Einstein’s theory of relativity states that everything is relative to the observer. The consequence of this theory is that the sum of 1 + 1 for one person might not be the same as for another person. The sum depends upon what is going on with each person. If you’re in a car speeding along at 60 mph and pass another car going 40 mph, then that car will look like it is going 20 mph to you. However, that car will look like it is going 40 mph to a person alongside the road. The appearance of the speed of the car is relative to the observer.
The theory of relativity can be ignored in our daily lives because we are all hurling through space at the same speed, on the same planet. This very special case allows us to look at the world around us and with confidence know that 1 + 1 does actually equal 2.
Consider what a blessing God has given us in just this one aspect of creation. God could have created a world where Newton’s elegant law, F=ma, did not apply. Our world could have been dominated by the uncertainty of the general theory of relativity. I am not really sure what that would have looked like, since this world is all I have ever known. However, we are told that God is outside of time. That means that God is outside the realm of Newton’s laws and the general theory of relativity, for that matter. So, there is a reality that we cannot even comprehend; physics laws that are beyond us. It is a place where our math does not work.
Therefore, God made this world different than His realm. Why? Why would God create this world in a manner that we can rely upon 1+1 actually and consistently equalling 2?
To declare his glory; to proclaim his handiwork. It is necessary for us created beings to be placed in a world where math works. It is necessary for math to work for us to even begin to make sense of what the heavens are telling. A world in which 1 + 1 always equals 2 is a world within which we can look at the sky and see his handiwork. That is an incredible blessing that we daily overlook. Just consider all the aspects of this creation that may exist, which we may never even know about that allows us to know God. It is staggering to consider.
God’s glory and handiwork is all around us if we just take the time to look. It is even in the fact that 1 + 1 = 2.
PRAYER: Lord – I am astonded by the works of your hand. I know that I get so preoccupied with my daily life that I miss so much of what you have displayed around me. You are great and greatly to be praised. Thank you for making me and making a world in which I can see and know your handiwork and glory. Amen
Image from http://www.alberteinsteinsite.com/physics/relativity/generaltheory.html
A DEVOTED LIFE 