A Light Bulb and Multiple Talents
May 6, 2008 by Shirley
It cost mere pennies when it was created; it is neither animal or vegetable, so it must fit squarely in the mineral category. It has its own website, has been written up in dozens of newspapers, filmed by multiplied cameras, visited by scores of people, and listed in Guinness Book of World Records. It’s a light bulb. A light bulb that resides in the firehouse of Livermore, CA. and that is 107 years old, and that has been designated the longest burning bulb in the world.
You might say it is faithful. You might say it understands its purpose. You might say that light bulb is doing what it was designed to do. You might say it is a “five-talent guy.”
LIVERMORE, CA,USA– A 5-watt carbon filament bulb burning in the Fire Department, Livermore, south Alameda County, California, which has been burning since 1901, sets the world record for the Longest Burning Light Bulb.
The low-watt firehouse bulb has been burning continuously since 1901. Its carbon filament is protected by an airtight seal.
The Livermore lightbulb never gets turned off, which many suspect is the secret to its longevity.
The average bulb last for 750-1,000 hours. Livermore’s bulb has burned for nearly a million hours.
I love this story, read a lot about it on the link and tried to bring over a picture, but was not able to do so. Yes, there is a connection between this unusual light bulb and the parable Jesus told concerning the talents. See Matthew 25:14-30. Recall that in the story when the master went away, he called together his servants and handed out the talents. To one he gave five, to another two, and to the last, he gave one–all according to their unique abilities.
When the Master returned he called his workers to account for their talents. The highly talented servant, who had been given five talents, had doubled them.
“Well done,” said the Master.
The worker with two talents had doubled his also.
“Excellent,” said the Master.
But the man who had been given only one talent had no gain to offer. “I was afraid,” he said. “I hid the talent.”
“You are a wicked man,” retorted the Master.
Our talents may be many or few, impressive or humble, small or expansive. God chose those gifts, handed them around, and all He asks from us is that we are faithful, that we put to good use the abilities, gifts and skills with which we have been blessed.
Hey, if a light bulb can exhibit such quality, perhaps we, too, can be faithful. It is quite likely that we can take out those precious talents Jesus gave us, polish them brightly, and with fresh vigor put them to work.
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My other blog is here.
I’m actually about 45 minutes from Livermore, but I have yet to see this incredible light bulb. I want to be faithful and let His light shine through me.
[...] Lamp post at Wendell Myer’s Home20 hours ago by Shirley Lamp post at Wendell Myer’s Home, originally uploaded by Shirley Buxton. It cost mere pennies when it was created; it is neither animal or vegetable, so it must fit squarely in the mineral category. It has its own website, …God Things - http://shirleybuxton.wordpress.com [...]
If they made a bulb that has lasted 100 years, it’s certain they can make them now. But we just keep on blowing them and buying more. Some modern bulbs don’t last a week
Shirley, I have heard of this bulb before and it is amazing. I wonder how much more our church could accomplish for God if everyone was just as faithful?
I hear Pastors say all the time that people are just not committed today like they used to be. On the other hand people have a lot more trial and troubles these days. Maybe if we were all “faithful” then God could guide us around some of the pitfalls. God bless you!