This week inventor James Dyson (of Dyson vacuum cleaner fame) unveiled his newest product, which is a bladeless air pusher. His Air Multiplier sucks in air from its base before propelling a constant stream through a thin gap in the fan’s ring. The result is a powerful, yet soothing airflow.
In one interview I saw of Dyson he explains the process of inventing by noting that "things going not as well as they should – is very exciting." He goes on to explain that "the fact of the matter is there are failures all day long. We are examining failures, and we are correcting failures all day long."
In many ways this resonates with my life of sin. I know I sin and as Paul points out, no matter how much I try to overcome it, I just keep on keeping on. (Romans 7) There are failures all day long. This makes me no different than anyone else, Christian or otherwise. (Romans 3:23)
What makes the faithful different, though, is what we do once we acknowledge our failures. We are not resigned to them. As Dyson does with his failed experiments, we examine our mistakes and work to correct them. This process can be exciting. It is never exciting to fail, but it is extremely exciting to correct a failure. It is exciting to experience God take brokenness and guilt and transform it into wholeness and joy. It is exciting to be God’s work in progress. It is exciting to be refined and pruned. It is exciting to know that I can ultimately do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
Psalm 19: 7-10
The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.