God’s Good Glue 上帝的万能胶
Dexu Xia
God made . . . all the creatures that move along the ground. Genesis 1:25
Scientists from Penn State University recently engineered a new kind of glue that’s both extremely strong and also removable. Their design is inspired by a snail whose slime hardens in dry conditions and loosens again when wet. The reversible nature of the snail’s slime allows it to move freely in more humid conditions—safer for the snail—while keeping it securely planted in its environment when movement would be hazardous.
The researchers’ approach of mimicking an adhesive found in nature calls to mind scientist Johannes Kepler’s description of his discoveries. He said he was “merely thinking God’s thoughts after him.” The Bible tells us that God created the earth and all that’s in it: the vegetation on the land (Genesis 1:12); the “creatures of the sea” and “every winged bird” (v. 21); “the creatures that move along the ground” (v. 25); and “mankind in his own image” (v. 27). When humankind discovers or identifies a special attribute of a plant or animal, we’re simply following in God’s creative footsteps, having our eyes opened to the way He designed them.
At the end of each day in the creation account, God surveyed the fruit of His work and described it as “good.” As we learn and discover more about God’s creation, may we too recognize His magnificent work, care for it well, and proclaim how very good it is!
How do you see God’s handiwork in the creation around you? How can you respond in praise to Him?
Creator God, thank You for the unique and perfect way You created the world and all that’s in it. Your works are wondrous!
上帝造出……地上一切昆虫。—创世记1章25节
美国宾州州立大学的科学家们最近研发了一种新型胶水，黏性极强，同时又易于去除。他们的设计灵感来自一种蜗牛，它的黏液在干燥的环境下会变硬，在潮湿时又会软化。这种蜗牛因黏液的可反转性质，可以在潮湿的环境下自由移动，这对蜗牛比较安全；同时在移动会有危险时，蜗牛也能将自己固定在当下安全的处境。
研究人员模仿自然界而研发的胶水，让人想起德国科学家约翰内斯 · 开普勒（Johannes Kepler）对自己的发现的描述，他说自己只是按照上帝的想法去思考。圣经告诉我们，上帝创造了地球和其中的一切：地上的植物（创世记1章12节）、水中的生物和各样飞鸟（21节）、地上一切昆虫（25节），以及照祂自己形象所造的人类（27节）。当人类发现或识别一种植物或动物的特性时，我们只是在跟随上帝创造的脚步，看见祂奇妙无比的设计。
上帝用六日创造了天地万物，在每一天结束时，祂都会审视自己工作的成果，并称其为“好”。当我们学习和发现更多关于上帝的创造时，愿我们也能看见祂伟大的杰作，好好爱护祂所创造的一切，并宣扬受造物的美好！
你如何在你周围看见上帝创造的奇妙？
你如何以赞美回应祂？
亲爱的造物主，感谢祢以独特而完美的方式，
创造了世界和其中的一切，让世人都叹为观止！