8But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.9Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,10and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...
We have been redeemed and called new creations in Christ Jesus. As followers of Him, we are called to be salt and light and demonstrate to the world the radiance of His brightness, as it is shone through us. As His nature becomes more visible in the way we behave, we become more invisible because we have been overwhelmed by His light. And, our old lives, the way we used to be, are hidden behind the cross, through which we experience redemption.
John the Baptist recognized that, with all the giftedness and the dynamic ministry that he had, it was the gift of God. And, He also acknowledged the supremacy of Jesus. Here's what he's quoted as saying in John 3:
27John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.28You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.'29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.30He must increase, but I must decrease.
Researchers at the Duke University Pratt School of Engineering have developed the first 3-D acoustic cloaking device, which can make itself and an object underneath it undetectable when “pinged” with sound waves, according to a recent news release.
The WORLD News Group website reports that the device is the first to work multi-directionally, according to Bogdan Popa, a research scientist in electrical and computer engineering who helped design the model. It doesn’t matter where the sound comes from or where the observer is located, the object is undetectable by sonar waves. Not only does the technology work in all directions but it also works for a broad range of frequencies, from 0 to approximately 3,000 hertz.
The researchers employed concepts from the developing field of metamaterials, which uses synthetic composites that have properties not usually demonstrated in natural materials. In this case, they used plastic plates punctured with a repeating pattern of holes, stacked in pyramid. When sound waves hit the device, the material’s design interacts with the acoustics to give the illusion that the sound waves are reflecting off an empty surface.
The technology could be used in a number of ways, including to concentrate sound in a more directive beam. For example, audio communication between submarines and ships goes out in all directions, meaning it’s more likely to be picked up by others. But using the cloaking technology, the sound waves could be concentrated in one direction, requiring less power and making communication more secure.
It could also be useful for commercial applications like controlling sound waves in auditoriums and concert halls.
The acoustic cloaking model does not work with the electromagnetic waves of radar. Some researchers are working on a similar design for electromagnetic cloaking but they have not yet found a way to hide an object in a broad range of frequencies.
Other researchers are working on designing a model for optical cloaking but that is still a long way in the future. The WORLD piece says that it is conceivable that some day acoustic and optical cloaking could be combined to prevent detection in both modes.
Poking holes in plastic = acoustic invisibility. Simple, but useful.
The article on the website carried the title, "Duke University's plastic plates of invisibility." And, I began to think about spiritual implications of being "invisible." That's kind of what John the Baptist was talking about in John 3, and it is really the posture that all of us should strive for - to be so "cloaked" in Christ that when people see us, they see Jesus. No wonder in Romans 13, the apostle Paul said to "put on" the Lord Jesus Christ. He wrote about the "full armor of God" in Ephesians 6. If we're covered in Christ, we experience great power and, we radiate to the world His character.
Last night, I saw over 50 young people who are in various stages of invisibility. The young people recognized at the Jimmy Hitchcock awards ceremony are not only achieving on the athletic field and in the classroom, but they are allowing Christ's light to shine through them. I would dare say that in most cases, through their service and their dedication to God, these young people are deflecting the credit from themselves and place it squarely where it should go - the presence of Christ through them. What an inspiration to see these young people so involved in Christian service - it does bring hope for the next generation.
And, we have to be so careful where the credit goes for our achievement. Whatever we undertake in this life should be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus, and what we accomplish in this life should be credited to Him. We are challenged in Scripture to be sure that what we do is done for the glory of God. So with an attitude of servanthood to the Lord, we surrender to Him, so that His presence is on display through our lives. We can truly strive to be "invisible" if we allow Christ to direct our thoughts and actions.
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