This month of September, I was “email talking’ with some “Girlfriends in God,” and pearls came to mind. As I continued to do my regular work, the following thoughts flowed through my mind. I share them with you:
Have you ever admired a pearl necklace? The pearls themselves are beautiful. There are so many varieties with different characteristics. A single pearl is exquisite, but together the pearls are precious.
One of my favorite books in the Bible is the Book of Job. Many a Christian can relate to his story. The story of redemption and God’s restoration is inspiring. I remember reading the following in Job 28, wherein precious gems and materials are mentioned, including pearls, but there is something more precious than a pearl. It is wisdom. The Book of Proverbs also speaks to us of Wisdom. However, it is in Matthew Chapter 13, that we read that “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”. – Matthew Chapter 13:verses 45 & 46. That “Fine Pearl” is our Salvation.
As we walk out our Salvation, we gather wisdom. The wisdom garnered in our Christian walk is hard won. We have had to battle to gain every ounce of Christian wisdom. These things (Salvation and wisdom) are precious, they are cultivated, just like pearls. The dictionary shows the word cultivated as: 1) prepared for a specific use (Salvation; we as Christians); 2) educated and refined (“like wisdom”); 3) to encourage growth (“One Christian to Another”)
My spirit spoke to me to look closer at the pearls, no, to look beyond the pearls. The pearls are held together in a circle, with knots and a clasp. Ecclesiastes 4:12 reads: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Once pearls are cultivated, they must be prepared, and a hole must be drilled in order to be used. These are then strung together, using hand knots on a strand. Strands come in different measures. We will use the three cord strand as mentioned in the bible. We are the hand knots holding tight the pearls in a strand, so the next pearl on the strand is tighter and stronger, that is what hands knots do for a pearl necklace, the knots don’t let any pearls “slip away” or form gaps. The hands knots “stand in the gap”. Finally, the clasp holds and joins the pearls in a circle, one body, keeping it together.
The Holy Spirit speaks to me of how in our Christian walk, we serve different functions. Sometimes we are the pearls on the strand, other times we might be the knots, holding and strengthening the pearl next to the other pearl, and sometimes we are called to be one of the strands or the clasp itself. No matter what part we form in the precious circle, it is the Hand of the Jeweler that brings out our beauty and luster.
More food for thought: imitation pearls run rampant like faux Christians. It is said that a precious pearl will reflect an image. I don’t know about you, but I want my pearl to reflect Jesus. Hold out for a precious pearl. If you buff out the blemish, you will see the depth of the layers of nacre which form the pearl. The process of the cultivation will sometimes reflect on the pearl itself. Not all sandstone will be worked into a smooth pearl, some have rings or pits about them, but this is a characteristic that can be “used” by the “Jeweler”. These characteristics will show “what you have been through”.
Another thing, if the strand in your pearl necklace breaks or becomes weak, you can gather your pearls and have the Jeweler restring the pearls, so that not one is lost.
The cost our “pearl” (salvation) has already been purchased by the Master Jeweler. Together as pearls, He has formed us into a three cord cultivated white pearl necklace. Seems perfect for the Marriage of the Lamb, the Wedding Supper, doesn’t it !
Ask yourself: Am I a hand knot? or Am I a strand?. Am I holding tight to other pearls that might be weak right now? What part are you in the circle?
Forget diamonds. I want “Pearls for Jesus.”
