Growing
up, I remember family conversations about the designs of the new cars. We could
never actually talk about the design, but we heard about problems in the new
design. What one person envisioned as an end-product was not always
mechanically possible.
Power
trains, wheelbase and turning radii were
considered. Artistic drawings were made, mostly in two-dimensions, but the car
was a three-dimensional product. It took special people who could imagine all
of the parts working together to make a new model possible.
Finally
it was time for preliminary models to be built. Stamp presses were designed. Glass
and plastics companies were consulted. The tolerances for error were 1/1000th
of an inch. If the new car was going to be able to be produced, it took
exacting work. If one part was even slightly outside of the tolerances allowed,
the whole car was effected.
All of
this was done in great secrecy. One department did not necessarily know what
other departments were doing. There were always stories of industrial espionage
and intrigue. On the day of the first assembly, the car was put together and
then disassembled so that the fewest number of people would know what the car
looked like.
Then
unforeseen problems would be addressed and final specifications published. When
the new line started up, workers were sworn to secrecy. Eventually the new cars
were released, and the world got to see the finished product. It seemed so easy
when the process was finished, but few people really knew of the number of
hours and headaches that went into a new car.
Today
we read about how the stones of the temple were cut and shaped at a remote site
and then moved to the place where the temple would be built. What an amazing
feat that was. The final construction was marvelous to behold, and I marvel at
how it was done in a world that didn’t have a zero. I’m not sure that we have
craftsmen of that quality today. I wonder what they could have done if they had
had a computer?
Prayer
Lord,
your church is an amazing thing to behold. You gather people from around the
world, from different countries and different cultures, and somehow make us one
in you. Help us to know your tolerance that we might work together in harmony
and peace. Amen
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