Crystals

Last school year we made chemistry science fair projects and presented them at the science fair one afternoon afternoon. What a crazy week we had but so much fun too! One of our projects was growing borax crystals. We put the saturated borax solution into three jars and then put one in the refrigerator, one in an ice bath, and one at room temperature. The hypothesis was the the one in the ice bath would grow the fastest and we were correct! Yay! I like it when that happens.

As we examined the crystals though, we noticed how the crystals that grew in each environment looked different from each other. The crystals from the ice bath were more white and dense. The crystals at room temperature were clear and we could see their geometric shapes a little more clearly. The crystals in the refrigerator were somewhere in between having some characteristics of each of the other crystals.

So, why am I talking about these crystals from a year ago? Thinking about our crystal project made me think about us as Christians. In some ways we are like these crystals. We all come from different backgrounds, different environments, and different families. Yet God created each of us and loves each of us. Even though our environments and backgrounds have shaped us all a bit differently, God has made us each beautiful and wants to use our unique traits. When we are all together worshipping Him and living our lives to bring Him glory, it makes a beautiful picture.

Find iPhone

Do you know that frantic feeling when you can't find your cell phone? You retrace your steps, look under furniture, dig through your pockets and purse, and you still cannot find it. This scenario happens way too often in our household mostly played out by myself. It reminds me of some stories in the Bible. For example the parable of the lost sheep or the parable of the lost coin. I think if Jesus had lived today and was telling a parable about the lost sheep it might be about the lost cell phone instead.

Since the garden when Adam and Eve sinned and hid from God, God has been searching for us. Beth Moore said, "God wired us to look for Him because He is pursuing us continually." I love that! Just like I pursue my phone using the awesome Find iPhone app that makes my phone beep for me until I find it--God is pursuing me. I am seeking God but He loved me first. God has done everything that He can to find me and have fellowship with me. He created an "app" that connects us continually. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. He is pursuing me and has found me. All I have to do now is jump into His open arms and remember to stay there daily.