Biblical Chemistry

I was an excellent Chemistry student in High School and College! The problem was I was a horrible math student!! My chemistry teacher could not believe I struggled with algerbra as bad as I did since I was solving and balancing equations in the chemistry lab like it was my second nature ... something I could do in my sleep.

The coach who taugh my algebra class had a conversation with my chemistry teacher once in the teacher's lounge about my math problem. Finally they both spoke with me about the matter. I tried to explain that the coach could not adequately explain the reason WHY the equation worked the way it did (yes, this has been a longtime stronghold in my life...knowing the reason WHY!) He just always told me "Because thats the rule. You dont need to know the reason why, just follow the rule and you will do fine!"

On the other hand, my chemistry teacher, by example, was able to explain the WHY of balancing the equation by our doing labs and solving for the unknown solution. It only took me ONE TIME in the chemistry lab of not following the rule (as coach suggested in algebra) to get the BIG PICTURE. It did not take me long after picking out the shards of my pyrex test tube (which is supposed to be indestructable by fire!) out of the particle board ceiling of the chem lab to understand that there is a method to the madness of the rule--even if I dont understand WHY!!

Years later, while teaching VBS in my early college days I was given the opportunity to explain the concept of the Trinity to 4 years olds! I dont know who wrote that curriculum...but I would not reccommend it! 4 year olds can ask the most difficult questions that will leave you STUMPED!! I followed the example of pouring water in an ice tray and putting in the freezer. Later I pulled out the ice cube and placed it over a pot on the stove...we watched the water boil and evaporate. Now somehow a 4 year old was supposed to get the concept that water (H2O) came in 3 forms of liquid, solid and vapor all having the same chemical compound of H2O just in 3 forms. I dont know how much that stuck with THEM, but it has stayed with me forever!

I saw the picture above and I thought it would be perfect to illustrate the deeper recesses of my mind lately! (OK...quit laughing! I can have a deep thought, ya know!!)

Lately, there has been so much going on in my life that I have been like "contents under pressure". Now I used to watch my grandmother who canned home grown veggies every summer and I KNOW what a pressure cooker does when it lets off steam! The noise could raise the dead! And everyone in the hooue stopped and looked to make sure everything was OK!

As in the photo above the E-State was to represent the "evaporative state" of the solid form of water. I have also been thinking of the 3 forms of H2O in terms of our having a body, soul and spirit.

When our lives (body) get in a state of constant pressure, will our soul (feelings and emotions) line up with the Spirit of God within us and release the E-State....the edification state??

When we are under pressure, the deepest kind of pressure, will that which forces our character to be truly revealed be one of edification ?

I know I've got a long way to go....but thanks to trying to teach 4 years old about the Trinity, I have this longing in my heart that when my ice cube melts and evaporates that I really want it to be pleasing to the Lord. I want to work towards the goal that when I am found in stressful situations that those around me will see grace under pressure. Because the grace IS THERE...but will we appropriate the grace given us in that hour or will we lean to our own understanding?

Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you...1 Thes 5:18

Can we be thankful in the midst of the pressures of life??
Our witness DEPENDS on it!

Bidding JOY to your journey (and mine!!),
Dawn