This morning, while making more laundry spot-remover (if you’ve never used this, it’s great: one part Dawn dish detergent and 2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide) I noticed that the chemical element for Hydrogen Peroxide, H2O2, is only one element different than water, H2O. I know—who cares BUT remember: Lessons learned while walking with Jesus is my motto!
I never liked science in high school, but when I homeschooled, it was a different story. I LOVED chemistry which really doesn’t seem to fit my personality. I’m not a detail person but I do love to know how things work. This is not a chemistry lesson, but I did wonder: Why does one oxygen molecule make hydrogen peroxide so different from water? This is the short answer from a site by MIT:
Hydrogen peroxide is just water with an extra oxygen atom tacked on — it’s H 2O2, instead of H2O. That extra oxygen is relatively loosely bound, making it a highly reactive chemical eager to oxidize any other molecules around it. It’s so reactive that in high concentrations it can be used as rocket fuel, and even concentrations of 35 percent require very special handling and shipping procedures. The kind used as a household disinfectant is typically only 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and 97 percent water.
So, put aside the fascination, Wanda, and get to the lesson! How quickly we can head down the wrong path. How little it takes to change us from a meek and quiet soul into a raving maniac! I know I’m only speaking to myself and none of you have this problem, but at times I’m shocked by how quickly I can lose it. And what is it that I lose when “I lose it?” I lose my testimony for my Savior! When I start to spout off in a passion, get angry, honk the horn out of anger (yes, that would have been on Saturday), throw down the towel, or worse, I’ve lost so much!
- I lose my testimony—that part of me that is supposed to be shining for Jesus just got very tarnished.
- I lose my “oneness” with Christ. The Holy Spirit is quenched (1 Thes. 5:19). My soul is weighed down with sin.
- I lose my relationship with those around me. Who wants to be with a maniac?
- I lose my peace of heart.
I’m sure there’s more.
Water—H2O—works out so nicely because the two Hydrogen molecules fit right into the Oxygen molecules (Very simplified explanation!). But H2O2 has two oxygen molecules that are looking for more! They aren’t satisfied and become harmful as they look to fulfill themselves! Wow! Doesn’t that sound like us at times? Isn’t that why I get angry or personify all the other ugly attitudes?
HOWEVER, do know that those unsatisfied molecules can be very helpful to create chemical reactions. Look at this definition of oxidation: type of change. undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one’s or its original nature.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE SALVATION!! PTK! Even though oxidation is so little recognized or thought about (how often did you think about oxidation this week?) God gives us a picture of salvation. We are changed by the blood of the Lamb!
Romans 1:20 (NKJV) For since the creation of the world His invisible [attributes] are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Once again, after digging a little deeper, another lesson is learned. We are like H2O2—we need to be satisfied. But if we look to ourselves or to the wrong source it can be destructive, even explosive. Mix H2O2 with bleach and you get a toxic gas. Mix it with baking soda and it can brighten your teeth. Are you “mixing” enough God into your days? Do you go to Him for satisfaction? When I partner with God, the possibilities are endless!
Molecules are so tiny, and yet they make up the universe in which we live, reacting together to break down our food and fuel our bodies as well as a million other things in our world. We are so small in the realm of eternity. Our lives are short and may seem insignificant. Not true. Each step is, or can be, directed by the Lord. Nothing is too small or insignificant to our Master/Creator. He doesn’t expect perfection and He’s there when we explode, to pick up the pieces and put us back together again. He’s even able to make us better than we were before. Only God could do that—use our explosive, poor reactions to have us “become different in essence; losing one’s original nature.”
I will praise You, for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made;
Psalms 139:14 (NKJV)
Marvelous are Your works, And [that] my soul knows very well.
Beyond Common Sense 