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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Facets make the beauty
Faceting is responsible for as much as half of a diamond's value. In planning the cuts necessary, the diamond cutter uses an exact mathematical formula and nothing is left to chance. To create a facet in a diamond the cutter will use a revolving bronze disc with an edge which has been treated with olive oil and diamond dust. Only diamond dust is hard enough to wear down a diamond. It is light being refracted by the facets that create the splendor and brilliance of a diamond.
In a similar way, we require "facets" that we might reflect the light of Christ to those around us. Just as only a diamond can cut a diamond, so our Lord uses people and circumstances to make the necessary cuts in our lives. The experiences of disappointment, betrayal, loss, pain and suffering are all "diamond dust" in the hands of our loving Lord. What ever "dust" the Lord chooses for our life, it will be accompanied with the oil of the Holy Spirit. Each trial we endure cuts a new facet that is meant to intensify our spiritual brightness.
The refining process can be long and agonizing, but it has wonderful, transforming purpose. Through our trials and suffering, we experience the reality of our Lord. Job is a clear example of this. He suffered tremendous loss of possessions, family, reputation and health and yet, look at what he says: "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee." -Job 42:5 The Lord became reality.
This process is never pleasant at the time. Knowing our Lord has a purpose for the hard times may not make them any easier, but it should give us comfort. We can also be assured that every trial is under the watchful eye of our Lord and will not be too heavy or too long. I must confess sometimes I have felt He was pushing it to the line, but He has promised His grace is sufficient and that He will never give more than we can bear.
Arthur Miller said, "The jungle is dark but full of diamonds." This world is spiritually dark, but each of us is a precious diamond carefully placed by our Lord to reflect His glorious light. Let us not view our trials as some random occurrence meant to defeat and destroy us, but rather as carefully planned "cuts" by the Master Craftsman, to create light reflecting facets in our lives.
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of light." - Ephesians 5:8 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." -Matthew 5:16
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- Sandy Hastings |
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