The person who knows “How” will always have a job. However, the person that knows “Why” will always be his boss!

After Thomas Edison’s fame had become international, he was advised to have scientists come to his lab and help him understand just why some of his inventions had worked. Edison didn’t see much use for it, but being open-minded, he consented to the idea. As a result, a brilliant research scientist from Germany came to his lab to explain the principles behind some of his innovations.

Edison handed the man a globe that had been twisted into a gourd-like shape and said, “give me the cubic content of this.” Weeks passed, and eventually, Edison sought out the man to ask him why he hadn’t replied. The scientist began to give him a lengthy explanation about the difficulties of solving such a problem with high mathematics. Edison then picked up the globe, took it over to a nearby sink, and filled it with water. He poured the water into a measuring tube, and holding it up, he said, “this is the cubic content.”

Solutions to most problems are far more simple than we realize. We tend to complicate them and make more out of them than they are. Learn to apply common sense and logic, and always know the whys, not just the hows.

-Dr. Rob Carman, Is the founder of Victory World Missions, a prolific author, church planter and well-know conference speaker. www.robcarman.com