Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Innovation in Times of Adversity

An article I read this morning on dailymail.co.uk sparked my interest for two reasons: 1. I love my iPhone and technology in general and 2. I enjoy reading stories in which innovation triumphs over adversity. The “Mail Online” article I read tells the tale of Martin Brooks, a man whose daughter was born with cerebral palsy. For years, Brooks and his wife “have struggled to understand Mia’s needs by getting her to look at objects or picture cards.”
After buying an iPhone last year, Brooks decided to put Apple’s slogan, “there’s an app for that”, to the test. When Brooks found nothing that fit his 5-year-old’s needs particularly well, he designed his own app. iComm allows Mia (who can’t walk, talk, or control her movements) to point out pictures of food, toys, activities, etc. on the iPhone screen using her eyes. Users can upload photos and voice recordings in order to personalize the app. Mia responds well to pictures of herself doing an activity as well as pictures of friends and family. Brooks said, “It has given her a voice for the first time and allowed us to understand her so much better.” iComm has been downloaded by more than 1,300 people since first made available for the iPhone.
It’s no secret that God loves seeing creativity blossom in the midst of difficult circumstances. When David faces Goliath in 1 Sam. 17, he doesn’t use brute force to take down the giant. He uses a sling and a stone. When Jonah needed some time for reflection, God used a big fish. Jesus is the best example of God’s innovative problem solving. Mankind was sinful and needed to know God. We needed a savior who walked and talked just like us. Plenty of people call God’s creative work “impossible” but “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). If you keep yourself faithful and open, God can show his innovative plans to you.

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