Well folks, it’s Shark Week again. I don’t know about you, but my marine biologist heart skips a beat. It is really the only time I binge watch anything other than Forensic Files. Once a year, for one week, August comes alive with Shark Mysteries and Dangerous Documentaries on Discovery Channel. Mike Tyson and Will Smith even made an appearance this year. When it’s over, die-hard fans are left to subsist on leftover tidbits and snippets of video relegated to Youtube.
A number of years ago, I was conversing with my new friend: author, speaker, and teacher, Bob Hamp at a conference. Maybe the word friend is a little presumptive. Bob was the Keynote speaker. I was just the guy introducing him. Bob comes across so approachable and friendly, it felt like we were good friends. When Bob speaks, his demeanor puts you at ease, while his knowledge enlightens you. It’s like coffee talk with a really, smart old friend. After he finished, I thanked him and engaged in some small talk. Bob shared with me that he was writing his first book, but he had some reservations. “There is so much out there, to add another book feels like pouring a teacup into the ocean.” As we parted ways, the sentiment “pouring a teacup into the ocean” bounced around in my head, waxing somewhat familiar. Then it hit me. The old tale that sharks can detect a single drop of blood in a vast ocean. Research time!
I woke up the next morning, prepped my speaker intros, and struck out to find Bob. I had to share my revelation. I wasn’t sure if he’d mirror my excitement or call security. I tend to go all Nerdsville when biology has spiritual applications. I found Bob and asked if I could share something. He obliged.
I reminded Bob of his teacup statement. I told Bob I had a marine biology degree and started sharing my internet shark research. What I learned is that some shark species are more sensitive than others to scents in the water. And they have a built-in sensitivity to detect tiny amounts of solutes, perhaps blood, in large volumes of water. I encouraged Bob to go ahead and pour his teacup into the ocean. Just like sharks on hunt with their built-in sensitivity. There are people out there, on the hunt for his message of hope in a vast, literary ocean. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has placed eternity in the hearts of men. God has placed a sensitivity, a thirst and a knowledge in the human heart. God wants us to know that there is more to this life than just the portion we spend on earth.
Ultimately, I encouraged Bob that he need not grow weary of pouring a teacup into the ocean. Those sensitive to the message, hungry for it even, will be drawn from far and wide.
( I met Bob a few years back. He published his book before I authored this blog. I’ve met plenty of authors. I have strict policy. If the real person and the person in the book don’t match, the book goes in the trash. Bob Hamp, is the real deal; authentic to the core. If he says it? He’s lived it. As a courtesy to Bob and a help to you, here’s a link to his book,
Think Differently, Live Differently. )