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Belief in God Is a Choice By Cecil Maranville Have you heard of the flower that is pollinated by "tricking" bees into taking a bath or of the flower that "shoots" its pollen onto a bee's back? We can see the design of the Creator -- if we choose to.
onsider the powerful words of the apostle Paul: "Ever since the creation of the world [God's] eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made" (Romans 1:20, New Revised Standard Version throughout). Paul's words remind us that we can look at the miracles of the world around and see evidence of God's handiwork, understanding not only that He is the Creator but also glimpsing some of His nature and character. Let's take a look at a particular flower, an orchid with the scientific name of Coryanthes. Although the scientist's language is a little technical, it is important that you read the account in the author's own words as he describes his findings and those of another scientist, a Dr. Cruger. It is well worth reading! An orchid with a bee bath
"But Dr. Cruger saw crowds of large humble-bees [bumblebees] visiting the gigantic flowers of this orchid, not in order to suck nectar, but to gnaw off the ridges within the chamber above the bucket; in doing this they frequently pushed each other into the bucket, and their wings being thus wetted they could not fly away, but were compelled to crawl out through the passage formed by the spout or overflow. "Dr. Cruger saw a 'continual procession' of bees thus crawling out of their involuntary bath. The passage is narrow, and is roofed over by the column, so that a bee, forcing its way out, first rubs its back against the viscid stigma [the sticky part of the flower that receives pollen] and then against the viscid glands of the pollen-masses. The pollen-masses are thus glued to the back of the bee which first happens to crawl out through the passage of the lately expanded flower, and are thus carried away...
The design reveals the DESIGNER These design details are fascinating, for they show us the complexity, variety and even a touch of humor in God's creation. Several scriptures confirm that we can learn of God through His creation. One such reference is found in Acts 14. The apostles Paul and Barnabas made quite a stir in the city of Lystra by healing a man who had been crippled, unable to walk, since birth. Idolatry was rampant in Lystra, and the instinctive reaction by the citizens of the city was to worship these ministers. God's servants gently corrected the people and directed their worship to the Creator God.
An orchid that shoots straight Here's another remarkable example of carefully planned design in the natural world from the same author cited above: "The construction of the flower in another closely allied orchid, namely the Catasetum, is widely different, though serving the same end; and is equally curious. Bees visit these flowers, like those of the Coryanthes, in order to gnaw the labellum [lip]; in doing this they inevitably touch a long, tapering, sensitive projection, or, as I have called it, the antenna.
Isn't that a marvelous illustration of God's handiwork? However, not everyone sees the evidence of creation in the same way. The scientist who penned these observations of the wonders of the world around him was none other than Charles Darwin, and the quotations are from his book, Origin of the Species (The Modern Library, Random House, Inc., pp. 142-143). Does this surprise you? It should! Darwin used these examples to show the ability of plants to adapt and to vary rather than to show the variety in God's design. Why? Same evidence, different conclusions Charles Darwin is not the only scientist in his time who interpreted what he studied in creation as evidence of life without a creator. There were many others. Why is it then, that what we see as inspiring, undeniable data of God's handiwork they see as evidence that God was not involved? We find the answer to that question in the first chapter of Romans.
Here we read that viewing creation is a portal through which we can see the Creator. While everyone sees the same evidence, each of us makes a choice as to how to use it. The early proponents of evolution made a conscious choice not to believe in God. They chose to interpret their studies in a way that would exclude God. We all have an important choice to make about the evidence of a Creator God. Even though the evidence is strong, each of us must choose whether or not we will believe it. Our choice will have a profound effect on our lives. If we see God in what He has made, then we have a constant reminder of His ability, His care, His humor, His purpose. If we do not see God, then we are not reminded of any purpose He has for us and are subsequently "freed" from a potentially troubling conscience that might cause us to question a wrong thought or action. To choose belief is to choose behavior
However, as the next verse tells us: "The LORD looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God" (verse 2). God is able to guide and bless those who wisely choose to accept the evidence and believe in Him. Let's make the right choice! Recommended reading Choosing to see God within His creation, or even acknowledging His existence, can be a difficult issue for many people. For further reading, please see and Copyright 2005 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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