Your Weaknesses Could Change the World

This is the story of how a poor boy impacted the lives of nearly every human today. This is the Michael Faraday story.

Faraday demonstrating at the Royal Institution

Michael Faraday, the father of electromagnetism, has a relatable success story that shows the desire to contribute to society pays off with much satisfaction.

Born in a poor family with little schooling, he got a job as an apprentice to a book binder. There, he read many different books and learned a variety of subjects.

This experience seemed to prepare him for his big break: Sitting in the lecture hall of the Royal Institution, he took extensive notes from an acclaimed scientist’s lectures, compiled them into a hand written book, and offered this book to the lecturer, hoping to get a position under him.

Sir Humphry Davy initially declined the twenty-year-old Faraday from joining him. After about a year, when Davy’s laboratory assistant was dismissed, he knew someone who might be eager for the opportunity. And new flowers blossomed; Michael Faraday was now working alongside a master at an oasis of innovation, where he would be able to undertake experiments of his own.

Having already gathered a knowledge of chemistry and the other sciences from his time in the book binding shop, he had one purported weakness: He did not go to university — thusly, he was not learned in the eyes of the world. This imposter feeling was likely something Faraday had to overcome, and it was at times held against him.

However, to his benefit, he did have a keen sense of intuition. Unlike a studious scientist, stuck in their ways and frozen in the ghostly thoughts of other men, he had fresh eyes to examine the world. And not the type to endlessly theorize, he was eager to experiment with his hands.

With marvelous achievement, he contributed much to his fellow man with many discoveries that have impacted the electrical power industry, from batteries to refrigeration. We can hardly dwell in the modern world without the seeds of Faraday looking at us everywhere we turn.

Also a man of Christian faith, his belief in the orderly creation is reflected in this quote: “The book of nature which we have to read is written by the finger of God.” It is from this worldview that he can strive to discover for the good of man. Again: “Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature.”

Perhaps humility made the gems in his crown of wonder. When Queen Victoria offered him knighthood for his scientific service, he declined, saying:

“I must remain plain Michael Faraday to the last.”

With inspiration before us, two questions remain for us to contemplate:

1. How might God use my past experiences for a future good?

2. Do I also seek to serve my neighbors with my unique strengths and weaknesses?