June 15, 2026
Monday, June 15
I took a physics class in college. Two of my roommates talked me into it, assuring me that even though they were no more science-y than I was, we would help each other get through. They promptly dropped the course a few weeks into the semester. So I was all alone facing a class I didn’t understand. The good news is that I passed, barely, and without cheating. The bad news is that I have no idea how. I remember absolutely nothing we discussed in that class. I think there was some stuff about force, velocity, mass, and there was definitely pie involved, although I can’t remember what pie had to do with it.
I mention that because one of my favorite preachers, John Ortberg, said Proverbs 24:30-34 is a perfect illustration of entropy, which is a concept from physics. Since I clearly didn’t learn about entropy in my college class, I spent some time researching this idea online. So that means I’m about to tell you everything I know about physics. Ready or not, here goes:
Entropy is a measure of the degree of disorder in any system. Thermodynamics teaches us that entropy always increases unless something is done to prevent it. In layman’s terms, stuff tends to fall apart if we don’t stay on top of it. We know this. Even if you live in the most expensive, state of the art house in the city today, but if you don’t do routine maintenance on that house, soon it will become virtually worthless. That’s entropy. Chaos and disorder increase unless we do something to stop it.
Here’s how Solomon experienced entropy:
I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
By the way, if you’re a physics genius, and you have corrections to what I said about entropy, kindly keep them to yourself. I can only handle so much learning. But all of us humans face entropy in something more eternal and important than a house or a vineyard. As we end our series on grit this week, we’ll talk about soul-entropy, how it happens, and what we can do to avoid it.
“Lord, you have given me something precious; a soul made in your image. Please help me to care for it, since it’s the part of me that will last forever somewhere. In your name, amen.”
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
