“The Beauty of Trials”
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials”
James 1:2
One of the things I love to do when I travel is look at the unique types of jewelry that are produced by local artists wherever I find myself to be. In Hawaii it appears that the dolphin, the sea turtle and the Plumeria flower top the list of favorite designs that are sought after by tourists who visit here. I like finding things that are not necessarily the most popular but that say something special and when worn bring back memories of the trip. I loved the black pearls I saw here in Hawaii but discovered they were not from Hawaii but from other parts of the world. I still like them but didn’t purchase any. I loved reading how pearls come into existence. Its amazing to me that when a foreign object makes its way inside the shell of an oyster that the way the oyster deals with this little granular of friction is to produce “nacre” to cover the intruder. The irritant is what actually gives birth to the pearl and the larger the irritant is inside the oyster the more nacre the oyster produces and the longer the process takes only increases the value of the pearl. Man, is there a sermon in that one!
To think, the pearl is the end result of a trial. The bible says that there is much to be received if we do not lose heart and give up when we become irritated. The apostle Peter who for much of his life struggled with patience learned himself that irritants are nothing more than opportunities for God to produce something in us that is of tremendous value to our lives, much more than even the value of a rare pearl. Peter wrote, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Let me ask you a question; are you irritated today, loved one? Has something or someone got under your skin? If so, don’t miss out on the pearl the Lord may be developing in you by trying to fix the situation on your own. Let the words of James, the half brother of our Lord speak to your heart today as you face the struggles of this life head on. James wrote, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Yes, loved one, God uses the trials, the little as well as the big irritants of this life to fashion in us something beautiful. Just think, you might not just produce a beautiful pearl from the trial you are facing today, you may just end up with a spectacular pearl necklace when all is said and done, and maybe just in time for Mother’s Day! What a gift the Lord is forming in you. Let Him do His work knowing…
“He has made everything beautiful in its time…”
Ecclesiastes 3:11
I LOVE YOU!