2021-05 How Close

Did you know that over 80% of all households in the US have a magnet on their fridge? Magnets can also be found in everyday items from telephones, computers, stereos, and your TV’s. Even this giant third rock from the sun that we call home is one big magnet. All magnets have a north and south pole. The old saying, “opposites attract” rings true when it comes to magnets. When you place the north pole close the south pole of two magnets, the end result is usually the two snapping together. One of my favorite things to do with magnets is to push two against the same pole. With the stronger magnets it really fun to feel how much force is being applied by the two as they repel each other.

In the late 60’s, A man by the name of Clark P. Russell shared the following story about how we can liken ourselves to that of a being a nail against the powers of the magnet.

A boy playing with a magnet looked up and said, “Dad, see how it pulls this nail out of my hand - even before it touches the magnet.”

“Yes, Son,” said the Father - then seeing an opportunity to teach a lesson, he continued, “How close can you come to the magnet without the nail being pulled away from you?”

“I don’t know Dad, but I’ll try.”

After several tries, the boy found that, although he was careful, he just could not tell how close to go before it was too late.

“It always seems I can go just a little farther,” he said.

“It is the same way, my boy, with the strong forces that may be tempting you sometime. You can never know how close you are to being drawn beyond your power to return.”

“But Dad, it’s hard to believe that there is something stronger than my own will.”

“Nevertheless, it is something you cannot find out for yourself without damaging results. It is a wise general that recognizes a stronger enemy before the battle, and makes a victorious retreat without casualty. You can do it too.”

- Clark P. Russell