Weekly Impact is written for leaders by our former Executive Director,Garth Jestley, who has decades of experience in senior leadership roles in the financial services sector. Each week he will share insights on life, leadership and faith.
“The existence of a limit to science is, however, made clear by its inability to answer childlike elementary questions having to do with first and last things – questions such as “How did everything begin?” “What are we all here for?” “What is the point of living?” ~Sir Peter Medawar, Biologist and Nobel Laureate
In last week’s blog post, I concluded there is no logical requirement to choose between science and faith in God. Science has been amazingly successful in helping us understand how the material universe works and in fueling great technological leaps forward. It cannot, however, answer some of the most basic questions posed by my grandchildren!
Medawar’s perspective notwithstanding, the late (and influential) Stephen Hawking said that physics rather than God was the source of ultimate truth. To the extent the relationship between science and faith in God has been a stumbling block for readers, the purpose of the preceding two blog posts was to stimulate thinking and further study. For many (if not most) readers, I suspect this issue does not cause sleepless nights!
As I reflect on these matters, I am reminded that I did not become a follower of Jesus as a result of logic and intellectual reasoning. While in my thirties, the question that launched my spiritual journey was along the lines of “What is the purpose of my life?” As Medawar noted, this is a childlike elementary question that cannot be answered by science. In fact, every person I know who has become a follower of Jesus later in life has done so as a result of a personal revelation of the person of God rather than intellectual reasoning.
There exists a limit to science in understanding the basic questions of life.
I do not mean to downplay the importance of applying our God-given intellect to life’s big questions. In fact, I have become a student of the intellectual foundation undergirding the Christian faith, which is immense! Shortly after stepping away from active business leadership, I even considered pursuing doctoral studies in this area.
However, when I reflect upon why I have put my trust in Jesus, the reason that dwarfs all others is simply that I know Him. His presence in my life is so real that I cannot imagine living without Him. That said, there are times when I lose sight of, or (dare I say it) override, His direction. It is humbling and wonderful to know that His ardent love for me is unaffected when my response to Him is unloving!
Recently, I listened to this message from Tim Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and author of several New York Times bestselling books. His church has been very successful reaching out to marketplace leaders, who are often indifferent to, or have difficulty understanding, the relevance of faith in God.
I strongly urge you to invest time (almost 40 minutes) listening to his message on the topic “knowing God.” Clear and insightful, it is a powerful reminder that we all know God exists whether we admit it or not and that we can all have a relationship with Him if we choose.
Garth Jestley is a husband, father, grandfather, leader and business executive. Most importantly, he is a follower of Jesus Christ.