Contrary to the opinion of many, mathematics is marvelous! Others may not have that same thoughts on this field of study. Especially if you are a student, (or their parent) embarking on another year dealing with numerical equations. School is just around the corner. And with it another year of conceivably tearful hours spent at the kitchen table trying to convince your child and maybe even yourself that math is important. Here’s four examples of why mathematics is both marvelous and important:

Marvel 1. Fast forward a few decades. I was discussing with one of my daughters the finer things of God’s creation. She mentioned a math formula discovered by a man named Fibonacci centuries past. She assumed I was familiar with him. I countered, “Who?” She exclaimed, “Dad, you’ve got to Google this! It’s so cool.” She was right. It’s called the Fibonacci Sequence.

Here’s how it works. 0+1=1, 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 2+3=5, 3+5=8, 5+8=13, 8+13=21, 13+21=34 etc. Plot the results on a graph by drawing squares equal to each sum, sketch a curved line intersecting the
opposing corners… (Better yet, Google it)

This math marvel is stunning. God used it repeatedly in forming His creation with variety. Consider the swirl of a snails protective shell, the sea creature Nautilus or the curved tail of the seahorse. Visualize the shape of the human ear and the cochlea inside of it. Think of the rotational form of broccoli, the seed arrangement of sunflowers or pine cone. See the cloud that forms outward from the eye of a hurricane. Ponder the curvature of a 10 foot breaking wave and the expanding form of far away galaxies. Each of these examples from every disciplines of science and thousands more examples are constrained by this divine ratio, 1 to 1.618. When you see Gods hand working in the similarity of design, glory in His work.

Marvel 2. God’s Tri-personality. Genius Mathematician that He is, He’s
infinitely more. His singular essence is expressed in the plurality of personhood. He’s three in

one, unified in function as Father, Son and Spirit. Think of Him not merely in terms of simple addition, 1+1+1=3. Instead, as ratio, 1 to 1 to the third power (person), 1x1x1=1. He’s multi personal.

Marvel 3. In the foretelling of events of Jesus life and work. Eight of hundreds of events stand out. (Born in Bethlehem, virgin birth, triumphal entry on a donkey, betrayal for money, abandoned by friends, nail pierced extremities, etc) .What is the likelihood of all these prophesies fulfilled by one man? Calculations indicate that the odds are 1 in 10 to the 17 power. Fat chance? Not with Jesus the Son

Marvel 4. Consider Jesus feeding 5000 people with two fish and five barley loaves. If reduced to simple addition, it doesn’t add up. But if you understand what happened as the multiplication of a meal, well, it’s still miraculous either way.

So take heart. The One who calculated and created the depths of the heavens, became like us. He understands our complicated, problematic lives. His solution? Vanquishing sin and death forever.

At Pine Grove, we believe that Jesus, is the sum of all things. By faith He’s the final answer to all your problems. Come and see!