"Life is Insidious?"

Organic Chemistry lecture at 8am.

Last place you expect to learn a deep theological concept right? Wrong.

As a result of the Holy Spirit's prompting, a kick in the pants from my accountability partner, and a downright disgust for my inability to stay AWAKE in my 8am Organic Chemistry class, I decided to tackle the morning today. Now before I go any further, you are probably thinking what most people have said to me: "Who WOULDN'T fall asleep in an 8am Organic Chemistry class?"

To that I say: Frankly, it does not matter what most people would do . . . often our questions should be what we "could" and "should" do. I COULD be a better steward of my time, resources, and coffee consumption and I SHOULD be an excellent steward of my money, my parent's money, my education, and the professor's time. And beside all of that, Organic Chemistry IS quite entertaining to the average biology nerd (aka THIS girl.)

Anyway, this blog is not for discussing the enticement or lack thereof that Organic Chemistry possesses. All you REALLY need to know is that today I was determined to be a "good student" to honor Christ. So, I punched my screaming alarm at 7am, peeled my lifeless body out of bed, brewed a VERY LARGE cup of coffee, and caught the Redbird Express to Moulton 214 where I was pleasantly surprised to find my favorite chemistry sub lecturing for my class.

Dr. Nagorski launched into a thrilling discussion of amino acid structure and the basic chemical reactions involving living things when he was suddenly caught up in one of his "pensive moments." Out of the blue he said:

"Life is insidious. . . . There are places in this planet that life

exists where there's no good reason for life to exist."

I was taken aback. Of course we was referring to places such as deep thermal vents that are miles below sea level. Small animals and microbes can withstand intense pressure and heat where molten lava pushes its way through the crust deep in the ocean. What Dr. Nagorski was implying is that no one really cares whether the Pompeii worm lives or dies. No one keeps them for pets or eats them as a delicacy at Red Lobster.

Apart from Christ, the conversation ends there . . .and that's where he ended in class. However, as Dr. Nagorski went on the explain the chemistry involved in perming your hair, I continued to dwell on this Godless view of life . . . that some life does not have a purpose. I marvel at the fact that God has spread life to the uttermost parts of the earth . . . even to the depths of the sea. As a "science person," many people will assume I don't believe in God. However, the more I learn of his creation the more I am compelled to worship the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Dr. Nagorski said that life is "insidious" and quickly rescinded that word and thought that "invasive and intriguing" may fit better. Nevertheless, he pointed out the fact that life is everywhere. . . and I'm so glad that he did, because I know that all life belongs to God. He created everything for a reason: to bring him Glory.

I believe that these lifeforms in the nooks and crannies of the earth DO bring him glory! It shows- in the words of Piper- "There is no square inch on this planet over which the Lord does not cry 'MINE' and 'I OWN IT'!" Check out Psalm 139:7-8

"Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there."

In closing, I want to move to Job. Whenever we fall back into thinking that we are the rulers of our own lives . . . let us turn to Job 38-42

"Where were you when I laid earth's foundation?

Tell me if you understand.

" . . . Have you ever given orders to the morning?"

" . . . Or walked in the recesses of the deep?"

(Pompeii Worm)

"Have you entered the storehouses of the snow?"

"Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?"

"Do you hunt the prey for the lioness?"

"Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?"

Job 42:1-6

¹ Then Job replied to the LORD:

² “I know that you can do all things;

no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

³ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me to know.

⁴ “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;

I will question you,

and you shall answer me.’

⁵ My ears had heard of you

but now my eyes have seen you.

⁶ Therefore I despise myself

and repent in dust and ashes.”