PAY ATTENTION

PAY ATTENTION

One of Solomon’s most unusual proverbs states, “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.” (Proverbs 8:12)  Have you ever had an unusually creative idea and failed to act on it – later observing some version of your unrealized invention rolling across your T.V. screen?  Often, it’s the simplest of concepts that solves a universal problem, resulting in a creative invention.  Allow me to share a true story of inventive genius that might not have been actualized if someone had not been paying attention or lacked the motivation to act.

As with many innovations, the originator of 3M’s sticky yellow Post-its didn’t know what he had, at least not at first.  A researcher named Spence Silver was curious about what would happen if he blended an unusual amount of monomer into a polymer-based adhesive he had been working with. The result was an innovative adhesive that would ‘tack’ one piece of paper to another and later even re-stick, without leaving any residue on the second piece of paper. 

The company had no use at all for this new adhesive until 3M chemist Arthur Fry began having problems in his church choir loft.  The slips of paper he used to mark the pages in his hymnal often fluttered to the floor, leaving him frantically searching to find the proper place in the hymnal.   Eventually he remembered Silver's adhesive.  The result was a better bookmark for Fry which soon evolved into the unique Post-it notes that are a mainstay in offices throughout the country.

Our Creator is still transmitting witty inventions (phenomenal new ideas) to ordinary people.  My friend, are you listening…and are you acting?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!