Emulsion

It was a simple science experiment that Molly, our Children's Director at church presented to the grade school students.  She had a small canister of oil, and one of wine, and combined them, and shook up the bottle  to show that oil and water do not mix.  Her point was that we are all different, and we have different values, different opinions, different perspectives, different gifts and qualities.  And the only way to get oil and water to coagulate is by adding another ingredient, called an emulsion, like an egg, an ingredient that would bring the two together in unity.  

It was a good lesson, and I am not sure where I was in science class becasue this was a ahhh haaa moment for me, and when I repeated this exercise to my family, they looked at me like duh! Emulsion is not a word in my general vocabulary. But thinking about it further in mixing relationships, the ingredient that brings about unity is God.  This was the lesson, for sure.  But taking this one step further, isn't God the ingredient that produces a peaceful and palatable solution when we are at odds in a trial, a relationship, a decision making process, etc.  When we include God and add Him to our mix of something that we are unsure of, or something that has devastated us, or has gone haywire, or something that has caused us to have unbalanced emotions, etc. we are allowing him to be the emulsion that brings unity, clarity and a fused sense of blended acceptance that God has got whatever it is under His control. 

When we try to mix our own solutions without God there is a separation that cannot be mastered.  When we combine our desires with the worlds' ways, they may appear to be sufficiently mixed for a while but very soon after, there will be a separation and a blended contentment among the variables is just not possible.  We do need God in our mix.  And this little experiment was a visual that I could relate to in so many ways. I need Him when I am on one side of a situation and the other side is murky.  I need God to be the emulsion (that is such a big word for me, I hope I have used it in the right context) that is poured into my heart and mind so my words and deeds are not separated by confusion, fear, anxiety, or pride. For God is the one who uses his power to generate a calm and peaceful countenance in the midst of trial on one side and heartache on the other. Through him we gain a confidence that no matter what oil and water circumstances that are before us, he faithfully can bring them together for His good and great purposes. We only need to ask Him to pour upon us his grace and within us, His the power of His resurrection. 

We may look at a situation and think is is impossible for there to be a solution, for one side stands its ground in solidity and so does the other, whether it is in relationships, or situations that appear to have no resolve, but with God all things are possible, and nothing is too big for him to accomplish.  My rule of thumb with God is if I hear it once, I listen, if  hear it twice, I take notice, but if I hear it a third time, God is serious, and I better respond to his nudge. I love it that these verses are almost identical.  God must be serious about us believing it. May our faith override our fear, and our trust override our insecurities.       

Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

”Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possiblewith God.

”Luke 18:27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Dear Lord, I love it when you put things on the bottom shelf for me to understand, especially when they are a visual. Thank you for Molly, and the lessons she is teaching our CEPC children and  grandchildren. Amen                        

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Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!