How deep are our thoughts about inorganic materials, i.e., rocks and minerals? The scriptures leave us to believe that all things were created spiritually before they were created physically on the earth. The worlds were created (organized) by the Word of His Power; all things obey the voice of the Almighty. All things, therefore, must have some level of intelligence. An example is found in the New Testament where Christ rode triumphantly into Jerusalem “And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And…the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, ‘I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.’” (Luke 19:35–40)
Scientifically speaking, everything on earth is made up of varying types of atoms. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter which make up every object. A desk, the air, and we (humans) are also made up of atoms! There are 90 naturally occurring kinds of atoms. Scientists in labs have been able to make about 25 more.
Each of the various atoms are held together by positively charged protons, negatively charged electrons and neutral neutrons to make up the basic material or building blocks for everything on earth.
The statement by Christ in reference to the very stones crying out would imply that even stones are aware of His authoritative role in the universe. All the elements in the universe honor and obey the God of this universe. Living things (organic) as well as inorganic things must, therefore, have varying levels of sensitivity.
There is an interesting story told about some villagers in the Solomon Islands. They, according to legend, practice a unique form of logging. If a tree is too large to be felled with an ax, the natives cut it down by yelling at it. Woodsmen with special powers, supposedly, would creep up on the tree at dawn, surround it, and scream at the top of their lungs. They would continue doing so for thirty days, then according to legend, the tree will die and fall over. The theory is that the yelling expresses hatred, meanness causing the trees spirit to die.
Experiments seem to indicate that stressful sounds have negative effects on the health of plants. On the other hand, music and pleasant sounds have positive effects on growing plants. The Solomon Island story may, in fact, be no more than a story, but it has some elements of plausibility.
Leaving behind plants, trees, and stones and their possible sensibility, let us turn, for a minute, to human sensibility. It is obvious, for example, that human beings vary in their sensibility. Some of us appear to have, and even demonstrate by our behavior, very little concern for others feelings. In contrast, some of us are super sensitive and demonstrate empathy and sympathy for every wrong imposed on another. I have lived long enough to know that people, whether young or old, are and can be deeply hurt by harsh and insensitive remarks. If yelling at a tree for thirty days can kill it, how many days does it take to kill or damage a human being made in God’s image? As humans, we can become angry and upset over many things, but how we respond determines our level of sensibility that we have developed. When we respond in a patient and kindly way to all types of stimulus then we are becoming what Christ referred to as a disciple and a friend. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” ( John 13:35). Love is demonstrated by loving and kindly behavior towards others. May God bless us to develop a positive sensibility for all living things that God has created