Diamonds in the Rough

 

When I was a child, I remember people referring to a “diamond in the rough” as a person with a loving heart, raw talent, and/or good common sense, yet lacking in proper etiquette, refined language, formal training and/or education. A classic example is Eliza Doolittle, the Cockney flower seller in the musical “My Fair Lady” (based on George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion”), transformed by the careful tutelage of a phonetics professor into a regal, elegant lady.

When I was in the early years of my medical career, decades before being saved, I used to dream of being a real estate entrepreneur to supplement our income and as a way to early retirement. I used to listen to a motivational lecture by Earl Nightingale so many times that the cassette tape broke!

The true story Nightingale described was called “Acres of Diamonds,” about an African farmer who grumbled bitterly about the poor quality of the rocky, infertile soil on his farm. He had heard tales of others making a fortune in diamond mining, and hoped to do the same. So he sold his farm for a pittance, but far from striking it rich, he lived in miserable poverty, finally so desperate that he drowned himself in a river.

The new owner of his land one day spotted a flash of red and blue light coming from a rock at the bottom of the stream. This turned out to be the largest diamond ever discovered, and the farm became one of Africa’s most productive diamond mines. Had the first owner only taken the time to study the appearance of diamonds in the rough, he would have realized the fortune he already possessed. Instead, he plowed up diamonds in the rough and tossed them away, and he sold acres of diamonds he already owned to look for them elsewhere.

Nightingale’s point was that we should not overlook opportunities right where we are planted, even though they may be disguised as obstacles, or to mistake treasures for trash due to lack of study and preparation. He summarized it this way:

The thing about this story that has so profoundly affected millions of people is the idea that each of us is, at this very moment, standing in the middle of our own acres of diamonds. If we had only had the wisdom and patience to intelligently and effectively explore the work in which we’re now engaged, to explore ourselves, we would most likely find the riches we seek, whether they be financial or intangible or both.

I don’t know whether or not Nightingale was saved, for only God knows the heart (Psalm 44:21; Acts 15:8). But for those who are saved, the treasure we have within – the Holy Spirit – from the moment of salvation onward, is truly priceless (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 1 Corinthians 6:19). Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5), yet with Him, all things are possible!  (Matthew 19:26)

But sadly, many who claim the Name of Christ trust in their own pitiful flesh or look to other people or circumstances to improve their situation, not realizing the power of Almighty God within, if only we yield to Him (Colossians 1:27). We may store up earthly treasures that we can’t take with us, while ignoring heavenly rewards that we could enjoy throughout eternity (Matthew 6:19-21).

Now that I am a born-again Christian, I wonder how many times we complain about trials and difficulties we must endure, not realizing that God allows our suffering to polish us into the image of His Son (Philippians 3:10). Other blessings of those trials are to strengthen our faith in and dependence on Him (2 Corinthians 12:9), and to give us compassion and experience to help others going through similar trials (Galatians 6:2,10). Yet we dismiss the burdens as trash and fail to realize that He turns them into treasure by working all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

When we read our Bible, do we stub our toes on the rocky verses that convict us of our sin (Psalm 139:23-24; 2 Timothy 3:16), and toss them aside in anger?  Or do we see them as precious jewels that can enlighten us with His truth and illuminate our path to being more Christ-like? (Psalm 119:11,16, 18,72,105, 127)

The Bible speaks of believers being purified in the Refiner’s fire, like fine silver when the dross is burnt away (Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 3:2), or as soft clay being molded and reshaped in the Potter’s hand (Isaiah 29:16; 64:8; Jeremiah 18:4). Yet before we can become malleable as molten silver or wet clay, sometimes He must chip away the hard shell keeping us rigidly bound in our own ways. Once we place our faith in His death, burial and resurrection as the only Way to Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; John 14:6), Christ frees us from all our sins by washing us in His shed blood (Matthew 26:28).

Often, though, we are still encumbered by the heavy weights that shackle us (Hebrews 12:1). These may include guilt over missed opportunities or past sins, even though God has forgotten our transgressions (Psalm 32:1; 85:2; 103:12), or bitterness and lack of forgiveness toward those who have wronged us (Matthew 6:12,14,15; 18:21,35).

Old habits from our unsaved lifestyle, such as drinking, smoking, or bad language, may prevent us from shining as brightly as we could otherwise (Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9; 1 John 2:10). Even activities that are not sinful, or even good works such as church service, may need to be chiseled away if they keep us from God’s best for us.

Praise God that if we allow Him, He takes us just as we are, with all our imperfections that detract from His glory, and like a master Jeweler skillfully cleaves us into a polished gem!

Jesus Himself was the ultimate Diamond in the rough, born and living in the most lowly of circumstances, and scorned for His unimpressive hometown (John 1:46) and simple parents (Mark 6:3), by worldly standards. His inner circle, Peter, John and James, caught a glimpse of His heavenly brilliance in His Transfiguration, but He quickly resumed His ordinary human form and asked them not to tell anyone until He had risen from the dead (Matthew 17:1-2,8,9).

When He died for us on the cross, He was so marred and disfigured that we could not even bear to look at Him (Isaiah 53:2-5). Yet without that ugly suffering and sin He took on Himself for us, there could be no forgiveness of sins, no redemption, no eternal life (Isaiah 53:11-12). When we behold Him in all His glory, His radiance will outshine the most beautiful rainbow and all the precious gems we have ever seen or could imagine! (Revelation 4:3)

May we allow Him to polish us like a brilliant diamond, reflecting His light as shining jewels in His crown!

© 2014 Laurie Collett 

Reposted from the archives

Puzzled?

Photo by Piero 2005

As the King of Siam sang to governess Anna in the musical, “The King and I,” sometimes life is a puzzlement!

 

Even as born-again Christians (John 3:3-8) who have been saved by our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we often struggle to make sense of the few puzzle pieces God allows us to see in His grand mural of life. Coronavirus, causing more US deaths thus far than the Vietnam War; worldwide famine; unprecedented restrictions on personal activities, church attendance, work and school; global financial crisis – how can any of this be justified in a world governed by our loving God? 

 

One of the items in great demand during this pandemic is jigsaw puzzles, as many find it therapeutic to work with their hands when they are in isolation. We can't control the pandemic, but fitting puzzle pieces together may be reassuring, supporting the illusion that we can control at least some aspect of our lives. I believe that's why so many have cleaned out and reorganized their closets and garages during this time of sheltering in place! Even the waiting rooms in our Iocal cancer center recently had tables filled with jigsaw puzzles in various stages of completion, although that may have changed now that more rigorous sanitizing measures are in place. 

 

It reminds me of the complex jigsaw puzzles my mother, grandmother and I used to work on when I was a child. Upon tearing open the box, we thought we faced an impossible challenge, as the sea of tiny pieces seemed to have no relationship to one another. 

 

Yet we know that with God there are no unrelated incidents nor coincidences. He has a specific plan for each of His children (Jeremiah 29:11) that He designed from before the beginning of time (Psalm 139:16; Ephesians 1:5,11) , and He is working all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). 

 

As we embarked on the puzzle construction, we scrambled to find the corner pieces, each of which set the structure for two borders of the puzzle. Jesus Christ is our Cornerstone, the firm Foundation Who gives structure, purpose and meaning to our life (Isaiah 28:16). 

 

Next we looked for the straight-edged pieces, for these would form the boundaries that determined the size and shape of the completed puzzle. It was easier finding good fits for these than for irregularly shaped pieces, because the straight edges had to align together. Similarly, God’s law sets boundaries for our life that ensure we will live out the days He intended for us, and that things will go well for us in accordance with His perfect plan (Deuteronomy 5:16. Ephesians 6:2; Matthew 22:36-40).

 

Even once the boundaries were in place, assembling the remaining pieces would be a daunting challenge were it not for the box lid showing the image of the completed puzzle! This showed us whether it was a landscape, with structures such as a red barn indicating where most of the red pieces would go, or a pond where the pieces with wavy blue-green patterns would find their home. 

 

God’s Word is like the box lid, showing us what a life pleasing to God looks like, and how we should order and place our worship, service, human relationships, work and rest within each day He so graciously gives us (Proverbs 3:5-6). We ignore it at our peril, finding out all too late that we have wasted time, effort and resources on trying to cram fragments of our life into areas where they don’t belong (Proverbs 16:9), if we fail to put God first (Colossians 1:18). 

 

We may try to fit ourselves into a relationship, career or opportunity that seems right to us, but if God did not ordain it, the connection will be no better than trying to jam together two puzzle pieces not designed to align with one another (2 Corinthians 6:14). Even worse, the wrong fit will block both pieces from finding their true bond. 

 

Sometimes as we sorted through the remaining puzzle pieces we identified an unusual piece, perhaps bearing a facial feature like the ear of a girl dabbling her toes in the pond. The uniqueness of this detail meant that there was only one place it would fit, and we had a clear sense of direction in placing it there. 

 

Sometimes God sends us an unmistakable sign, whether through His Word (Psalm 119:105), a sermon, a dream (Genesis 31:11; 37:5), Godly counsel (Proverbs 27:17), or His handiwork in nature (Psalm 19:1). If we listen to His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12), we can have the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), knowing that He has directed us in accordance with His perfect will. 

 

But what about those days when it seems like we have to work on the puzzle from the reverse side, where everything looks the same, with no clues? Or what about times when our life seems like one of those demonic puzzles that is painted solid red? Even in these trials when life seems to make no sense at all (1 Peter 4:12-14), we can rely on our Cornerstone and His boundaries to order our understanding. He is not the Author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). 

 

We completed many such puzzles when I was a young girl, sliding them onto poster-size cardboard and stacking them under the bed. But the puzzle of my life, with the beautiful picture God intended for my life since before the beginning of time, may never be completed, whether Jesus calls me home tomorrow (James 4:14) or blesses me with many more years on earth (Psalm 90:10). Christ Himself finished the work His Father gave Him to do (John 17:4; Hebrews 4:3), but I believe that most if not all of us will fall short of that goal. 

 

Whether working on jigsaw puzzles or living the life God appointed to us, it does seem to fall into place more clearly the further we go. We see connections that previously eluded us, and we can build on the work we have done under His direction, on the truths He has revealed through His Holy Spirit, and especially on Jesus Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 3:10).   

 

In the meantime, may we redeem the time for His purposes (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5), order our days by following His Word, and trust that the Master Designer has a perfect plan even when all we see is disjointed fragments of the puzzle!

 

 

© 2018 Laurie Collett

Updated and reposted from the archives

Puzzled?

Photo by Piero 2005

As the King of Siam sang to governess Anna in the musical, “The King and I,” sometimes life is a puzzlement!

Even as born-again Christians (John 3:3-8) who have been saved by our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we often struggle to make sense of the few puzzle pieces God allows us to see in His grand mural of life. School shootings, life snatched away from young people way too soon, senseless violence – how can any of this be justified in a world governed by our loving God?

It reminds me of the complex jigsaw puzzles my mother, grandmother and I used to work on when I was a child. Upon tearing open the box, we thought we faced an impossible challenge, as the sea of tiny pieces seemed to have no relationship to one another.

Yet we know that with God there are no unrelated incidents nor coincidences. He has a specific plan for each of His children (Jeremiah 29:11) that He designed from before the beginning of time (Psalm 139:16; Ephesians 1:5,11) , and He is working all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

As we embarked on the puzzle construction, we scrambled to find the corner pieces, each of which set the structure for two borders of the puzzle. Jesus Christ is our Cornerstone, the firm Foundation Who gives structure, purpose and meaning to our life (Isaiah 28:16).

Next we looked for the straight-edged pieces, for these would form the boundaries that determined the size and shape of the completed puzzle. It was easier finding good fits for these than for irregularly shaped pieces, because the straight edges had to align together. Similarly, God’s law sets boundaries for our life that ensure we will live out the days He intended for us, and that things will go well for us in accordance with His perfect plan (Deuteronomy 5:16. Ephesians 6:2; Matthew 22:36-40)

Even once the boundaries were in place, assembling the remaining pieces would be a daunting challenge were it not for the box lid showing the image of the completed puzzle! This showed us whether it was a landscape, with structures such as a red barn indicating where most of the red pieces would go, or a pond where the pieces with wavy blue-green patterns would find their home.

God’s Word is like the box lid, showing us what a life pleasing to God looks like, and how we should order and place our worship, service, human relationships, work and rest within each day He so graciously gives us (Proverbs 3:5-6). We ignore it at our peril, finding out all too late that we have wasted time, effort and resources on trying to cram fragments of our life into areas where they don’t belong (Proverbs 16:9), if we fail to put God first (Colossians 1:18).

We may try to fit ourselves into a relationship, career or opportunity that seems right to us, but if God did not ordain it, the connection will be no better than trying to jam together two puzzle pieces not designed to go align with one another (2 Corinthians 6:14). Even worse, the wrong fit will block both pieces from finding their true bond.

Sometimes as we sorted through the remaining puzzle pieces we identified an unusual piece, perhaps bearing a facial feature like the ear of a girl dabbling her toes in the pond. The uniqueness of this detail meant that there was only one place it would fit, and we had a clear sense of direction in placing it there.

Sometimes God sends us an unmistakable sign, whether through His Word (Psalm 119:105), a sermon, a dream (Genesis 31:11; 37:5), Godly counsel (Proverbs 27:17), or His handiwork in nature (Psalm 19:1). If we listen to His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12), we can have the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), knowing that He has directed us in accordance with His perfect will.

But what about those days when it seems like we have to work on the puzzle from the reverse side, where everything looks the same, with no clues? Or what about times when our life seems like one of those demonic puzzles that is painted solid red? Even in these trials when life seems to make no sense at all (1 Peter 4:12-14), we can rely on our Cornerstone and His boundaries to order our understanding. He is not the Author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).

We completed many such puzzles when I was a young girl, sliding them onto poster-size cardboard and stacking them under the bed. But the puzzle of my life may never be completed, whether Jesus calls me home tomorrow (James 4:14) or blesses me with many more years on earth (Psalm 90:10). Christ Himself finished the work His Father gave Him to do (John 17:4; Hebrews 4:3), but I believe that most if not all of us will fall short of that goal.

Whether working on jigsaw puzzles or living the life God appointed to us, it does seem to fall into place more clearly the further we go. We see connections that previously eluded us, and we can build on the work we have done under His direction, on the truths He has revealed through His Holy Spirit, and especially on Jesus Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 3:10).  

In the meantime, may we redeem the time for His purposes (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5), order our days by following His Word, and trust that the Master Designer has a perfect plan even when all we see is disjointed fragments of the puzzle!

© 2018 Laurie Collett