12/26/22

Impossible? by Gary Rose

 

Note: see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penrose_triangle for more information.


An excerpt from the above linked article…

The Penrose triangle, also known as the Penrose tribar, the impossible tribar, [1] or the impossible triangle,[2] ( underline emphasis- GDR ) is a triangular impossible object, an optical illusion consisting of an object which can be depicted in a perspective drawing, but cannot exist as a solid object. It was first created by the Swedish artist Oscar Reutersvärd in 1934.[3] Independently from Reutersvärd, the triangle was devised and popularized in the 1950s by psychiatrist Lionel Penrose and his son, prominent Nobel Prize-winning mathematician Sir Roger Penrose, who described it as "impossibility in its purest form".[4] It is featured prominently in the works of artist M. C. Escher, whose earlier depictions of impossible objects partly inspired it.


The picture at the top is an optical illusion. Frankly, it looks impossible. But, if you do just a bit more investigation, you will find that it is possible to make this. Impossibility is a realm of human understanding that is much bigger than we can imagine. Consider astronomy, things astronomers thought they knew 100 years have been replaced by new concepts, new contexts and a more in-depth insight. This is partly because of new tools, such as satellites, space telescopes and the consideration of different wavelengths of light (such as infrared).


Today, the totality of human knowledge has exploded, but at the same time, the average individual just doesn’t seem to understand the things that were commonplace 60 years ago- writing in script for instance.


Generally speaking, we humans have become a self-indulged, self-absorbed, selfish species. In the never-ending effort to acquire wealth and more and more possessions, many of us have eliminated God in our lives and replaced him with the god of avarice. In light of these things, consider the following passage from the New Testament…

Matthew 19 ( World English Bible )

16 Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”

17 He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’

19 ‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20 The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

22 But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.

23 Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”

25 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (underline emphasis- GDR)


Who then can be saved?”- a good question indeed! However, it is possible to have wealth AND BE SAVED. Why, because of Jesus’ comment in verse 26 “…with God all things are possible.” A person who is a faithful follower of God and obeys HIM in ALL THINGS ( with the right attitude of course ) can be saved. God can make this possible. Notice, I did not say E-A-S-Y.


These things should make everyone concerned about their attitudes towards God in all things, which includes finances. Today, ask yourself this question: Am I putting God first in everything? If the answer is a “NO” then that will eventually become a problem. However, if God is indeed first in your life- don’t worry about a thing! I pray that your answer is a resounding “YES”! Remember, with God all things are possible!