Keep Flapping

Yesterday, my son and I took a walk in the park. While Spring is still a few weeks away, the warmer temperatures and bright sunshine seemed to awaken some of the insects from their winter slumber. A bumblebee bumbled through the air and followed us as we walked along the trial.

Bumble bees fly even though they have small wings in comparison to their body size. Doug Craigen, PhD (physics), explains how the bumblebee's disproportionate design is functional.

The answer lies in the fact that static (still) objects are governed by different stability laws than dynamic (moving) objects. For example, take a bicycle. As a static object it is not stable (like a tricycle would be). Leave a bicycle standing without support and it will fall over. However, a moving (dynamic) bicycle is perfectly stable, and it is easy to explain why with basic physics. The bumblebee is the same, as a static object it is not aerodynamically stable, it cannot glide. But when it is flapping its wings, we're into a whole new ball game for how air moves around it.

Consequently, the bumble bee flies as long as it is flapping its wings. When the bee stops flapping, it becomes a tumble bee. This is a good reminder for us. Don’t stop flapping.

Paul wrote, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).” Don’t give up. Keep moving and place your trust in Jesus.