How Cool Is That?
I watched with absolute wonder and amazement as the brand-new Airbus A-380 lumbered down the runway and lifted gracefully into the air. Was I in Paris for this great event? No, I watched from my house last night from the tele. Yes, all from the comfort of my super stuffed, mocha breeze, living room chair.
The Airbus A-380 is the world’s first twin deck, four aisle airplane. It actually has a third deck for cargo that, as is advertised, could be used as a business center, a daycare (think about that for a second) or a fitness center. The passenger version will hold between 555 and 840 passengers and is claimed to have better fuel efficiency than your normal, everyday car. Just don’t try parallel parking it at the mall!
If you are still struggling comprehending the size of this thing it’s about 240 feet long (almost the same length as a football field) with a wingspan of 262 feet.
I’m watching this documentary which focuses on the design and build process of this airborne behemoth with complete fascination. They had landing gear engineers, fuselage engineers, cockpit engineers, electronics engineers, navigational system engineers and (ready for this) sanitation engineers. That was not their official title but they had a team of engineers working on the toilet flushing system. Is there a pecking order amongst engineers? Do all the other engineers tease the lavatory specialists?
It was an impressive show which showcased the dedicated efforts of some very creative, innovative people. Still, I’m not sure if I want to be a passenger on this modern marvel. The plane will more than likely be filled with people wanting to be the first passengers. This type of maiden voyage is a bit too Titanic for my liking.
Those men and women who had a part in designing and building this airplane were so deliriously excited and relieved when that plane took off for the first time. The test pilots were deliriously excited and relieved when the plane safely landed four hours later. It must have been a huge sense of personal satisfaction watching something so complex actually work.
Nestled within my many thoughts were these questions:
I wonder how God feels about this? Does he smile? Is he proud of the creative work?
Does God delight in us when we exercise those creative traits we inherited from him, our father?
Do we as his creation continue to amaze God?
Does God react the way we do as parents at the accomplishments of our own children?
I don’t have any problem thinking that when that airplane lifted off some angel heard God say, “how cool is that?”
I believe He is proud of us. I also think He has to have a sense of humor. You know, statements like, “Do you know what that kid of mine did today?”
I believe He is proud of us. I also think He has to have a sense of humor. You know, statements like, “Do you know what that kid of mine did today?”
Hey, bro! I watched a part of the special on that flying city and was fascinated, as were you, by just the amount of engineering involved. I like your thought about God being proud of his children.
My father and I did not have an adversarial relationship, we just didn’t have much of a relationship at all and the thought of my father being proud of me was not a part of my formative experience.
It was only within the last couple of years of his life that he told me he was proud of what I did (preaching). When I first told him that I was going to close my counseling practice and pursue fulltime ministry, the disappointment on his face was very evident. I remember wishing I’d not even mentioned it to him. He’d dreamed for years that he would have his own construction company, my brothers and I would be a part of the corporation, with me being the accountant. He had no idea just how mathematically challenged I am. One brother would be a lawyer and the other an engineer. None of us fulfilled his dream.
So it has only been since I’ve been a father that I could relate to God being pleased with me and actually rejoicing in anything I might accomplish. I’ve tried my best to instill in my children a father’s pride over their accomplishments. I want them to know if I can be that proud of them, imagine how proud their heavenly Father is!
As always, the first thing I do after checking my email is go to your blog site. Thanks for sharing a part of your day and a bit of your thoughts with us.
“Do all the other engineers tease the lavatory specialists?”
That laugh turned into a coughing fit…thanks.
Every time I see something like you’ve described I think of the tower of Babel. That was a great feat of engineering. That was an amazing use of the creative intelligence God gave us. But He certainly wasn’t happy about it. I guess it comes down to our motivations. The builders in Babel were intent on proving their equality (at least) or superiority (at worst) to God. The people in your documentary were trying to build a big airplane.
A really, really big airplane. Sheesh.
My father say’s often he’s proud of me and I just blush and say thanks dad but! just thanks.
Well, the bible does say we are fearfully and wonderfully made.