God’s Chemistry Set

A story by Donald A. Abbott

Gather around and listen close, of a story from my younger days, a story sure to cause some questions, but a story none the less.

When I was but a child all I wanted to be was a scientist. I had this little chemistry set all full of chemicals, beakers, and such stuff to mix and create all sorts of things, messes mostly, but oh what fun it was to mix up something and see the reaction. If it did not turn out right I just threw it way. Well in time I passed through that stage, never really created much anything but messes, but it was fun and I had many hours of enjoyment being the mad scientist.

Wonder with me if you will, of a child that none of us really know, a child with the most amazing chemistry set. A chemistry set that has chemicals and such that man has never seen. One that can create whole universes and even life. Perhaps the one we refer to as God, is that child. A child with chemistry set so powerful that he could create anything. The heavens and the earth, all the things we know, and many that we don’t. Lets continue in our wondering and wonder if this "child" did in fact create all of us and all that we know. Kind of like younger kids who build an ant farm. The kids feed the ants take care of them, and to the ants we might be seen as a god, provided ants had that concept.

Perhaps our God is that child and we are his "ant farm"? Well you see he created a very different kind of ant farm with this special chemistry set. He created "man" but he did not stop there. He created a way for his "ants" to worship and praise him. He gave us his ants religion, a way for us never to forget just who created us, and to remind us that he is there. Talk about a God, well this one takes the cake so to say. Creating all that we know, and making sure that we never forget just who our God is. You see he gave us the bible, stories of what was and what will be. And in his chemistry set he had souls to give us all, a most amazing chemistry set.

But let’s suppose that our God, who is still just a child, was like us, I say that because we are supposed to be created in his image? If that is so, knowing that man is not perfect, then how so can the creator be perfect as well? We are not supposed to question our creator, but I do. I wonder why if he created us that we are not perfect? I wonder why we live such short lives? Why we can’t live without pain, disease, growing old, and dying? I wonder why this person or thing we call God could let all of this happen. I conclude that perhaps like me as a child when my creation failed I just threw it away, perhaps God has done the same? Or perhaps he has given us all of this as a forceful reminder that we are still the ants and he is still the boss? After all we are at the mercy of this thing we call God.

I often ask myself who am I to question God? And all I can say is that I am me, a person full of questions, doubts, wonder and amazement. Oh God hear my cries, surely you realize that one of your ants has just figured out something here. I figured out the chemistry set. I finally realized that you must exist, and that all that I see and know was created for my diversion and entertainment. Surely man was just one of those mistakes, why did you not fix it? Why create life that must know in equal measures pain and suffering? Why create life that is full of emotions? Why let us feel at all? You would think that perhaps you lost the instructions? What did you forget to give us? What is the missing thing? Surely in your chemistry set there is that one thing that will make us all perfect creatures? Yes, I question you. You gave me that when you created me, the ability to question, the ability to learn, and oh yes let me not forget, the ability to hurt. I read the bible, it has a lot of neat stories, some which may answer my questions, some cute answers to many more, but still even if you told the stories, it was written by man, and by our very nature we are not perfect. So how could the bible be a perfect document or answer?

I hope there is a "heaven" I hope that our spiritual souls go there when we pass away, I hope this not for me, but for those whom worship you unconditionally. I hope that those we love pass on to enjoy a life free of pain and suffering and one of comfort.

All that I have known has come and gone, all that I have loved or will love will pass, all that I have had I have lost, and all that has been will in time will pass. At times I almost feel as if I can feel you there, at others I can almost feel you doing things to remind me that I am still just that little ant. For one who said he gave so much, his son, you take so much more in return. We are born, and we die, why? Is it because you messed up? I know that no matter what I do or say I won’t ever get it just right. But then again I am not God, nor am I perfect either. I am just a man saddened by his losses through his life, and hurting because I feel those losses. So much, WHY???????? I don’t think man messed up, I think man is the end result of your chemistry set, and I think you screwed part of it up. But who am I? I am just a man, a man you made a man who is always asking why and never content with the short answer.

You see what a neat way to explain it all. God’s Chemistry Set, and God as the chemist. What a novel approach to understanding God? Oh I am sure you might think I don’t believe, but can you accept that my beliefs are just a little different? No two us are the same, though we might agree and disagree, we are still people. I don’t hate God, but you see I am not in love with him either. I grant you his existence, and you all your beliefs, just as you should grant me mine with out being judgmental. I judge not your faith or degree of faith, I accept you all, I disagree not with you or your beliefs. Nor should any of you agree with mine. Judge not lest you be judged? I believe...... But I still want the answers. Life is but a short time we spend here, make the most of each day and make the most of those you know. And God, keep working, you are sure to get it right in time.