Mathematics is a beautiful discipline with all the patterns, sequences, orderliness, geometry and shapes. It’s just awesome. In Mathematics, we encounter transcendental numbers like e (2.718281828...), Pi (3.14159...), golden mean/ratio/rectangle Phi (1.618...), Fibonacci sequence, Pascal's triangle, fractal geometry and infinity. All these are so wonderful. One can appreciate colors, shapes, sizes, symmetries, patterns, harmony, majesty, power, mystery and transcendence in mathematics and mathematical numbers. So mathematics helps us to appreciate God's creation and God, the Creator Himself. Mathematics is beautiful and can inspire worship, thus a potential great worship-builder.
Mathematics can build up one’s character. Mathematics is the kind of discipline that exercises one’s patience and self-control. We certainly cannot best solve problems if we do not persevere patiently in following the necessary steps towards finding the solutions. We cannot be restless or hyperactive or careless or inattentive or impatient or overexcited or unmotivated or pessimistic if we are to best succeed in mathematics problem-solving. In fact, self-control does help in mathematics problem-solving. We have great opportunities in math studies to express love, joy, peace, kindness and goodness when we gently interact and help each other to understand the concepts and procedures in solving the mathematical problems. A heart filled with God's peace, kindness and goodness would help enormously in communicating more successfully our findings and solutions of mathematical problems to others, in conveying our knowledge and understanding to our audience. Learning and teaching mathematics do exercise and cultivate qualities and virtues. Mathematics promotes, for example:
Analytical skills,
Brilliance of mind,
Curiosity and Creativity,
Discipline,
Efficiency and effectiveness,
Fascination,
Goal-setting,
Honesty,
Insight and imagination,
Judiciousness,
Keenness,
Logic,
Methodical approach,
Numeracy skills,
Organizational skills,
Planning skills,
Quality,
Reasoning power,
Spatial ability,
Thinking skills,
Uprightness,
Versatility,
Wisdom,
Xcellence,
"Y"-mindedness (‘why' minded and higher-order thinking), and Zest.
Thus, Mathematics can be a great character-builder.
Wise employers look for as many of the above characteristics as possible in their prospective employees. Mathematics is one of the most relevant and practical subjects that exists. It is so applicable in all kinds of fields imaginable. The world needs people equipped with higher-order thinking skills: deductive and inductive reasoning power, logical, analytical, critical and creative thinking skills, and entrepreneurship which can be developed through Mathematics and problem-solving. Thus, Mathematics is also a great career-builder.
I do enjoy mathematics and I love to teach it enthusiastically and passionately. I believe that it has the potential to help bring my students closer to God, transform them into better persons and enhance their career prospects. Personally, mathematics develops my sense of appreciation, admiration, reverence, and worship of My God, cultivates my character, builds up my career, helps me earn my living, and is beautiful fun.
