Wednesday, February 23, 2011

An Unrecognized Genius


(A conversation between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson)

“My mind,” he said, “rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession, or rather created it, for I am the only one in the world.”

“The only unofficial detective?” I said, raising my eyebrows.

“The only unofficial consulting detective,” he answered. “I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. When Gregson, or Lestrade, or Athelney Jones are out of their depths–which, by the way, is their normal state–the matter is laid before me. I examine the data, as an expert, and pronounce a specialist’s opinion. I claim no credit in such cases. My name figures in no newspaper. The work itself, the pleasure of finding a field for my peculiar powers, is my highest reward.

(Article from The Science of Deduction by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I really admire Sherlock Holmes, a genius, a master in crime deduction, the expert. But the thing about him that I admire most is his desire not to be recognized for his ingenuity. He was contented in just solving the crime, and giving the solution to the peculiarity of the case.

There were only a few now who possess this kind of attitude. The norm says that once you’ve done something, you need to be recognized and be awarded. (Well, sometimes you really need to be recognized, and be compensated accordingly, most especially if you’re waiting for that hard-earned monthly salary and your family depends on that for a living!)

But sometimes, even as hard as you try, you didn’t get recognized… then you eventually get disappointed, frustrated, downhearted.

Good thing there is Someone who sees your good deeds. 1 Samuel 16:7 says:

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
God sees your motives, even the deepest desires of your heart!

It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Psalm 118:8
Take heart my friend, God sees!

© 2011 Erickson Ibana