The Pearl of “Life”
by Angie Thomas
As I was reflecting on the lecture, “The Pearl of Great Price” and looking through the list of the plastic pearls that we cling to, the Lord led me back to the Precious “Life” pearl. I know this pearl well. From the time I was a little girl I have loved dreaming and considering how the Lord might use my life. I have always wanted to do something really special/incredible for His kingdom. How difficult and painful it has been to take to heart the words of Jesus in John 12:26, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls in the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” My heart to be used by Him is not wrong, but my motive certainly has been. There is still so much pride wrapped up in that desire and a lot of my own thoughts about how it would be best for God to “use” my life. Over the last few years as He has asked me to forsake my career, friends, and in many ways, my dreams, to follow Him it has been really painful, but it has been really wonderful as well. Laurie said in the lecture that, “We are afraid of giving up our mediocre life, because we don’t understand His love for us.” As I have faithfully tried to follow the Lord in obedience, not knowing where He was leading, I have known His love in a more powerful, tangible way! It is so worth it girls! To leave our mediocre lives we truly have to die to everything! Our hopes, dreams, the way we want or see our lives going! Ask Him for His dreams and desires. His greatest desire is that you love Him with All your HEART, SOUL, MIND and STRENGTH and that you seek Him first, before your hopes and dreams.
That is my prayer for all of us this fall as we go through this study, that we would fully, completely, surrender our lives to Him, being willing to lay down what He asks and pick up what He asks, with a joyful heart! This is only possible with His grace and strength, working in and through us!
Ask the Lord to take your plastic pearl of “Life”. His Word promises that He will give us the most beautiful, true pearl “Life” that we can imagine. He has already given us the Life of His Son and has promised us eternal Life, but He will also give us Life in abundance here on earth (John 10:10). It probably will not look like what we have imagined, but it will be full of His faithfulness and love!
Angie, thank you so much for your “pearl” of wisdom and insight. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought about all the times over the years that I have grieved over the loss of “dreams” – even those that, like you, were devoted to Him (but led by my own thoughts of what was meaningful and valuable and not His). Painful you are right! But I have come to realize more than ever that He simply wants me to trust Him in what HE knows is highest and best for me and brings Him glory, that His is the best, most fulfilling, abundant, life-giving way! Looks way different than I ever thought.
Truly Beautiful! There was no coincidence in finding this website. There is no coincidence in anything when it comes to our Dear Lord. I love how the ‘Holy One,’ the Holy Spirit of God, is always gently working within. Mostly, when we least expect it. He is the ultimate surprise… The ultimate gift!