Bumble Bees Can Fly Because They Think They Can

An urban myth promulgates the idea that according to the laws of physics, bumble bees don’t have sufficient wing surface area to actually achieve flight. Just don’t tell a bumble bee that! Of course, they can fly and quite well. Much of the successes in my own life have come because I didn’t know any better. So I just dug in and did it.

On the other hand, I would never have begun many of those same things if I had known how difficult the task was going to be beforehand. I dislike failure more than hard work and discomfort so I don’t usually quit until I have succeeded. I often succeed in spite of myself. Sweet Janice played a song for me on our drive to Boaz, Alabama this past Saturday for a woodturning club demonstration in the beautiful part of north Alabama near gorgeous Lake Guntersville. Some of the lyrics really spoke to me. The song is by JOSH GROBAN titled "You Raise Me Up". Here are some of the lyrics:

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up to more than I can be.

I don’t know how many times I have finished an item on the lathe and thought out loud, “WOW! This is magnificent. I didn’t know I could ever make something of that quality. I don’t know how I did it, I’m not that good.” I am often surprised at just how well something turns out, even though I have decent woodturning skills and hope for the best when I start. How is it that a small town boy from the California desert with such humble beginnings has accomplished so very much and be fortunate to share it with so very many people across virtually every state and much of the world as well? If you can’t see the touch from the invisible hand on high, you need to look a little closer. I’m sure that is true for many of you as well. There is no way we could do this in our own strength.

My message is this: Nothing happens until you start. You don’t have to see all the way to the end before you move into action. If you really feel like you are supposed to do something, pray first, think about it for a reasonable amount of time, prepare as best you can, then go for it. Expect it to actually be far more difficult than you imagined, but know you will persevere until you succeed if you don’t quit.

Sweet Janice and I had a wonderful time in beautiful Boaz, Alabama seeing old friends, renewing acquaintances and making more new friends. We appreciate the opportunity to teach and share some of the methods I have discovered which make turning our favorite items easier, better, and faster. We would like to say thanks to our host and his wife Mr. and Mrs. Larry McCurly for their generous hospitality. Because, wherever you go, there you are.

Here is my inspiration for this week’s message.

YouTube video of the entire song https://youtu.be/HeUJ4Y–XOeY

Ps 147:5 ESV2011

​Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Eph 3:20 [KJV

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Phil 4:13 ESV2011

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.