"Slime Camp"

EPISODE 65

Remain Firm Yet Moldable

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Over the summer, our daughter went to Science Camp. The focus of their weeklong study was — wait for it — SLIME! That's right. She spent an entire week learning about, making, and playing with a variety of ooey-gooey substances. For their final project, they made a non-Newtonian substance out of cornstarch and water. It was fascinating!

Non-Newtonian slime feels like any other liquid, but only if you move through it slowly. As soon as you speed up, or apply any amount of force, the fluid becomes as hard as a rock. While watching the kids dance on top of this otherworldly concoction, oddly enough, it got me thinking about our faith.

Dealing With Others

The same Jesus who calmly sat with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42), also flipped over the tables of the moneychangers in the temple (John 2:14-17). He showed mercy and kindness to the lost sheep of Israel, but was tough on the religious leaders, since they should have known better. Some situations call for softness, and some require more forceful action. As Jude said, "... have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh" (Jude 22-23).

So, how do you approach those lost souls around you? May God give us the wisdom needed to be gentle with some, and stronger with others.

Firm Under Pressure

"As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say" (Luke 11:45).

Jesus was under constant threat from the religious leaders. But he never backed down or gave up! Few things prove our character more than testing and trial (Rom. 5:3-5). When force is applied, will we cave to the pressure, or will we resist the schemes of the devil (1 Peter 5:8-9)?

We must fight firmly against sin while remaining pliable to God's will. As James encouraged, "... "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:6-7).

Power in Weakness

Like that tub of non-Newtonian slime, looks can be deceiving! We don't find lasting strength when things are easy. True power comes when times get tough. As Paul said, "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10).

Next time you find yourself frustrated by the suffering you're facing, remember that things aren't how they appear! Christ's power is made perfect through your difficulties (2 Cor. 12:9).

So, may God help us to be the kinds of non-Newtonian disciples who remain strong yet moldable throughout our walk with him!