Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth | Part 3 | Hesed | Chris Voigt

Hesed: Our Relational Glue

Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth
September 25, 2022

It was invented by accident in 1942. Working with a team of researchers, Dr. Harry Coover was experimenting with chemicals known as cyanoacrylates. They were working to create a clear plastic that could be used for precision gunsights by soldiers in WW II. As they worked, they discovered that the chemicals were exceptionally sticky, which made them very difficult to work with! They stuck to absolutely everything! The cyanoacrylates were rejected as a workable substance for the project, so researchers moved on to other options.
 
It wasn’t until 1951, while working for Kodak’s chemical division, that Coover rediscovered cyanoacrylates and realized these sticky adhesives had some unique properties; specifically, they bonded without any need for heat or pressure. He and his team tried the substance with a variety of items; and every time, the items became permanently bonded together.
 
In 1958 this ultra-sticky stuff was refined and packaged for commercial use under the name “Eastman 910.” Today, Super Glue is a widely used, fast-bonding, high-strength, instant adhesive engineered to bond almost any material.
 
I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. This is the third week of our series Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth. We are learning some fascinating things about how God designed our brains and the way our brains impact our spiritual development. We’re also learning how to cultivate the kind of mental and emotional environment that fosters deep spiritual transformation. Last week we talked about joy. This week it’s all about love. Not your run-of-the-mill, everyday, “I love bacon” or “I love those shoes” or even, “I love the Oregon Ducks,” kind of love. This is an incredibly strong, super “sticky” kind of love... a kind that creates unbreakable bonds between people. It’s called “hesed.” And it’s a love like no other.
 
I hope you’ll join us this Sunday. I would love to worship with you!