Jewels

Zechariah 9:16-17a: "The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be!"

We are all created in the image of God, and thus, we all have the potential to become sparkling jewels. When "Miney" runs in from the backyard covered in dirt and mud, tracking it through the house on her way to "go potty", it is sometimes easy to forget this (off topic, but sometimes, I have considered putting the baby potty in the backyard to prevent this problem in the future--lol). I don't know yet whether my children will be diamonds or rubies or amethysts or some other type of precious jewel. It is part of my job to cut and scrape and polish until the jewel in each of them is finally sparkling, just as the Lord continues cutting and polishing me.

Many years ago, in college, I worked in jewelry sales. In studying jewelry close up, it is amazing how many jewels have flaws or impurities within them (emeralds are particularly bad about this). When shopping for jewelry, we now have a choice of "lab created" jewels, which have fewer impurities, or we can buy natural jewels.

As Christians, we must remember that we were sent into the world (but should not be of the world). Contact with the world means that there is a greater chance for impurities or flaws to develop in our jewels. However, we cannot forget that Christ's last command to us was to go "unto the world" and preach the Gospel to them. We can, of course, raise our children as "lab created" jewels, but they will miss the opportunity to develop as the natural and genuine jewels God intended for them to be.

As parents we must, of course, use discretion with our little jewels. There is no sense in allowing them to be contaminated or damaged needlessly. But, when they are ready, and have opportunity, it is good for them to reach out to lost and try to discover the hidden jewel within them.

One day, we will all stand before God, shining and precious as the jewels He created us to be. I have such a joy in my heart when I envision presenting my little jewels, loaned to me by the Lord in order for me to shape and direct them. The blood of Jesus will cover our flaws and impurities, and before God we will appear perfect and flawless. Blessed be the Name of Jesus!