I'm A Pearl

I have a pearl ring that is very special to me.  A few weeks ago I thought I had lost it.  It isn't anything extravagant--it's actually quite simple.  It is a gold band that is raised on each side and a single pearl in the center.  My mother gave it to me after I told her why I wanted it and what I wanted to look like.  She was really cute too--after searching and finding it she intended to give it to me for Christmas but was so excited that she gave it to me months earlier.

Let me back up and share the significance of the ring.  Several years ago God helped me to see my value through His eyes.  As Romans 3:23 says, "for we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" I knew I was a sinner, saved by grace but still lived under the condemnation of being unworthy because of my past mistakes and failures.

Thankfully, God is patient with us and desires to have an intimate relationship with each one of us.  While I have had many wrong turns (mistakes) I learned that I am still a prized possession to God.  Do you know how a pearl is formed?  The natural pearl is formed as a protective reaction of the oyster, stimulated by a foreign object such as a grain of sand or even a small parasite intruding its sensitive inner tissue. To diffuse the intruder, the oyster encapsulates it in layers of nacre or the mother of pearl secretion, and the pearl grows in size as the number of layers increases.

I read in Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. God showed me that I was like that pearl.  All of my turns and struggles along life's path have drawn me closer to God to diffuse those things in my life that were not good and He saw me as a great value.  His Son, Jesus Christ, paid the ultimate price for every one of my sins -past, present and future-so that I could have a relationship with Him--today, here on earth and eternity in heaven.

While most women love diamonds (and I do too), my favorite of all time is the pearl.  I'm a little rough around the edges but over time God is creating to me to be an exquisite pearl--one of a kind possession.

I also find it interesting that pearls are mentioned several times in Revelation when John describes what heaven looks like. Revelation 21:21 says, And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 
May you see your value through God's eyes today and thank Him for His love and mercy.

If you don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and you would like to know more about the great value your life has send me an email.  I would love to tell you about an incredible life that awaits you!

Wrestling with God

Are you wrestling with God?  I was asked this question recently.  My first response was absolutely not--I would never presume to wrestle with God but in reality I do this every day when I don't pursue what God desires of me and seek my own agenda.  If I'm not submitting to God's authority in every area of my life--I'm attempting to wrestle with Him for control.

Along with the question came the stark reminder that I've not been faithful to my commitments on the blog or my physical activity recently.  I keep a very busy and hectic schedule both at work and with evening commitments.  My only 'free' night during the week is Tuesday and I attempt to catch up on everything then.  Some of the things that I do are really good and worthwhile endeavours can keep me from focusing on what God calls me to do.

I remembered the story of Jacob wrestling with God. If you aren't familiar with it read Genesis 32.  Jacob is journeying back to see his brother Esau after stealing his birth right years before.  As he makes the journey with his wives and possessions he sends them ahead of him and is left all alone one night.  Jacob refused to let go until he was given a blessing.  The angel of the Lord touched his tendon and caused him to have a limp.

Wrestling is a close hand-to-hand combat.  It takes strength and endurance to wrestle.   When I choose to do things my own way rather than follow God I can find myself wrestling with God.  I have to remember that God desires the best for me.  My plan may be good but God's plan is great.  "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

James 4:1 says What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ...James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Rather than wrestle with God, why not submit to His authority and let Him direct every area of your life--start today.
God desires for us to seek Him with all our hearts, all our minds, all our soul and all our strength.

P.S.  I'll do better with my physcial activity but I was never good at sports--I've decided to stop wrestling with God