SA44 - Explore Every Dimension of God’s Word

No time to read?   Listen to the audio here

Benjamin's eccentric nature and penchant for measuring everything had roots in a childhood filled with curiosity and an insatiable thirst for exploring the unknown. Born to a family of self-taught mechanics and want-to-be inventors, young Benjamin grew up surrounded by gadgets, peculiar contraptions, and the constant banter of what's required to make things work.

From an early age, Benjamin displayed a keen interest in the world around him. While other children played games of tag and hide-and-seek, he could often be found observing the intricacies of nature or experimenting with makeshift measuring tools fashioned from spare parts found in his father's workshop, which was really nothing more than an overly cluttered garage.

His parents, recognizing his unique interest, encouraged his inquisitive nature. They provided him with access to an array of components, which served to foster his love for learning and would inevitably shape his peculiar worldview. Benjamin's insatiable curiosity led him to conduct countless experiments and measurements, much to the bewilderment of his playmates.

It was at this point that Benjamin came to the remarkable realization that in measuring, we find understanding and it is only through understanding that we can truly manage our world.

As he matured, Benjamin's fascination with measurement evolved into a personal philosophy—one that emphasized the importance of understanding the world in all its dimensions. His studies took him far and wide, from the dusty tomes of ancient libraries to the laboratories of contemporary thinkers. Along the way, he developed an assortment of measuring devices, each more intricate and peculiar than the last.

One crisp autumn morning, a wave of concern swept through the town of Bumbleton. The once-lush orchards, which were the backbone of the town's economy with its abundance of apples, were suddenly yielding meager harvests. The once-joyful chatter of the farmers now gave way to worried whispers, and the aroma of freshly baked apple pies that wafted through the town from the numerous bakeries had now become a distant memory.

The townspeople gathered in the square, faces etched with concern. The apple trees, once weighted down, laden with fruit, now seemed lackluster and barren. The heart of the town's economy, it appeared, was in peril.

Benjamin was summoned by the mayor, who was now under considerable pressure to do something. The mayor was eager to pass the problem over to Benjamin, whose placard above his cottage's front door had three simple principles engraved:

1. You can't manage what you can't measure.
2. Improving anything starts with measuring the thing.
3. If you can't manage something, you can't improve it.

Having observed the situation from his cottage window and sensing an opportunity to apply his unique measuring mechanisms, Benjamin decided to investigate the mysterious plight of the apple orchards.

With an air of determination, pad, and pen in hand, Benjamin strolled through the orchards, passing by the abandoned sprayers, mulch spreaders, apple transport, and other harvest equipment. As he walked, an old farmer pleasantly nodded from the shade of a tree, silently reading. Meanwhile, Benjamin measured the height and girth of each tree, meticulously inspected the soil, and recorded atmospheric conditions. The townspeople, initially skeptical, watched in awe as he conducted his measurements with unwavering precision.

Days turned into weeks as Benjamin continued his investigation. He collected data on sunlight exposure, soil acidity, and the spacing between each tree. His cottage became a hub of activity, with townspeople bringing him soil samples and sharing anecdotes about the orchard's past glory.

Finally, Benjamin, armed with reams of notes and a newfound understanding, called for a town meeting. In the town square, surrounded by anxious faces, he unveiled his findings.

"Ladies and gentlemen of Bumbleton, fear not! Through the art of measurement, I have unraveled the mystery that ails our beloved orchards," he announced.

His studies led him to the conclusion that the once-organized planting of trees had fallen into disarray over the years, leading to uneven sunlight distribution and nutrient depletion in certain areas. By carefully measuring and restructuring the orchard layout, he proposed a plan to optimize sunlight exposure, improve soil conditions, and rejuvenate the apple trees.

Although doubtful, the townspeople slowly rallied behind Benjamin's proposal. With shovels and determination, they began implementing the plan, repositioning trees, and amending the soil according to Benjamin's meticulous measurements.

As the seasons changed, so did the orchards. Blossoms adorned the once-bare branches, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of apples. The town rejoiced as the harvest surpassed expectations, and the aroma of apple pies once again graced the air.

The old man who sat at the foot of the tree was named Herbert. He was somewhat of an idiot-savant whose weathered face bore the deeply embedded lines of hard-earned wisdom. While the townspeople initially regarded Benjamin's eccentricities with skepticism, Herbert had always held a quiet conviction in the power of measuring, having drawn inspiration from the Bible. Ephesians 3:17-19, a passage he never forgot, spoke of being rooted and established on a foundation to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of divine love.

To Herb, this was not just spiritual wisdom; it was a profound lesson in understanding. He had long believed that the scriptures guided one not just to know the 'what' but also the 'why.' In the Bible, he found a form of measuring—a meticulous study to connect the various parts of its message.

As Benjamin entered the orchard and unfolded his measuring apparatuses to solve the town's dilemma, Herb nodded knowingly, for he understood that in measuring the depths of knowledge and love, one sets the footing for spiritual growth, just as the scriptures had whispered to him all along.

It was from the power of exploring every dimension that Herb had learned his valuable lesson—a lesson that extended far beyond the simple borders of Bumbleton's orchards. He had learned that even the most daunting challenges could be overcome through the diligent study of God's Word to comprehend fully what is the breadth and length and height and depth of the truth; only then can one become like the trees in the orchard, firmly rooted and established in their faith.

Do you have a comment that did not get mentioned during the Watchtower study? What encouraging observations would you like to point out? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.