by For over a year, now, a lot of ministries within churches have been curtailed or stopped altogether because of Covid. So, it has been a blessing and a joy for me to restart our Ladies Meetings in our new church several months ago. I enjoy building the meetings around a particular theme and our theme for next month is, “Diamond Rings and Bling!”. This may seem like a theme out of place since we are called to be humble! But, I have an unexpected twist on this which I will share further down!
Traditionally, we think of diamonds often being associated with engagements and wedding bands. We can thank DeBeers Diamond Company for their successful, 1930’s marketing ploy! They coined the slogan, “Diamonds are forever!”. Diamonds are the hardest and most durable substance in the world. And, because of their durability, diamonds are forever! The symbolism is that our marriages will also last forever. Sadly, that is not always true. My heart goes out to those caught up as the innocent party in divorces. And, while not always the case, many times, it is the “bling” that is the root of a broken marriage. The spouse is distracted by the bling of something that they perceive is better than the treasure they already have!
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2
Just like our sinful nature, a diamond does not start out being something of beauty. It is just a piece of ugly carbon that has been under fire and pressure through the abyss of time. Even as our righteousness is as filthy rags, a diamond has little value hidden in the dirty bowels of the earth.
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6
Then, the miner discovers the glassy substance. In most cases, it is someone else who finds us and points us to our need of our Savior; whether it be the voice of a preacher, a compassionate Christian neighbor who is concerned for our salvation, a soul winner out to evangelize the masses, or perhaps just a simple, Gospel tract we came upon. But, just discovering our need of the Savior is not enough.
This blob of carbon must go through the cutting and polishing of a trained professional. Jesus took our place and was beaten and bruised for our iniquity-for our sin! Once the diamond cutter has finished his chipping, grinding, and polishing to perfect the stone, it finally has real value. Once Jesus died on the cross for our salvation, it is a priceless gift given to us. Having confessed our sinful nature and accepting His sacrifice on the cross, we become like that polished diamond with inconceivable worth.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.
Although a diamond is the hardest substance on earth, until it is put to the test, it has not proven itself to be so. It is the heat and pressure that makes a diamond strong. The more heat and pressure, the more beautiful and valuable the diamond. As a Christian, we will go through many fires and testings that will strengthen us and prove to others where our strength comes from. It is the heat and pressures in this life that makes a Christian strong.
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” II Corinthians 12:10.
What pressures have you endured? Did you take pleasure in them? Did it seem unfair that, while loving and trying to serve God to the best of your ability, you have had to endure more than others who were far from God? Just remember how much more valuable a diamond is when it has endured more pressure! When all seems to be against you and you are enduring the pressures of life, this is when our strength is magnified through God.
Now, what about the “Bling”? I think about the tares and wheat. The tares came up with the wheat but, it was “just along for the ride”. It was eventually cut down! Fake, costume jewelry may look impressive but it will tarnish and the stones will become dull. It gets pushed back in a jewelry box or even discarded. Some people may blend in and enjoy the blessings of God for a while but their eyes and hearts are set on other things. They want it all and they want it right now! But, there is also a p
rice to pay!
Achan coveted the Babylonian garment, the gold, and the silver. His heart’s eyes were distracted by the shiny baubles! The bling didn’t last long and he and his family were stoned to death because of his disobedience.
“And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.” Joshua 7:24-25.
Rachel coveted the images and things in her father’s home. She was distracted by these beautiful things to take with her. Maybe it was to impress her new family and neighbors! In time, her covetousness led to her losing one of her dearest possessions, Jacob, who had to flee their home. Were her eyes on the “bling” rather than the future?
“Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.” Genesis 31:34.
Lot chose the well-watered plains. It had its price though! He was influenced by the “bling” of Sodom and Gomorrah. He lost his home and even his wife as she looked back and became a pillar of salt! The “bling” was not lasting!
“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.” Genesis 13:10-11.
“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:26.
I have been following a blog about living minimally. My original idea of minimalist living was living in a brick, warehouse loft with modern, cubic furniture and a few pieces of abstract art on the walls! Actually, it is all about living with the essentials and not being swayed by the “bling” of what the world thinks you need and keeping up with everyone else. “The one who dies with the most toys, wins” is NOT true! Real contentment comes with living a humble life with Christ as our objective.
Diamond rings are expensive and if you have one, I am happy for you. However, let’s keep in mind that whatever we choose to have in our daily lives, has lasting and intricate value and not something that is just appealing to the flesh.
I said at the beginning that the Ladies Meeting I was planning had a twist to it. The idea is not original but, if this devotional has been a blessing to you, please pray with me that it will also be a blessing to our ladies! Are you ready for it?
Our decorations will be a bit “blingy”! –Sparkly tablecloths, plastic rhinestones glued to our cutlery, origami, paper diamonds scattered around, etc. At the end of our meeting, these “bling-y” things will be used up and discarded in the garbage can!
But……As a reminder to our ladies to think about things eternal, things that are lasting, they will each be given a diamond ring! No, wait, not a “Diamond” ring, but a “dime ON a ring”! It is the little things in life that are the most lasti
ng and eternal! Though a dime is only 10 pennies and may seem somewhat worthless, these dimes are sitting on a ring that has no end! This circle has no beginning and no ending. As a child of God, He picked us up out of the miry clay. One day, we will live with Him eternally! There will be no end!
“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Psalm 40:2.
My prayer is that everyone reading this, as well as the ladies attending our meeting from my church will all walk away, understanding first, how valuable you and they are to God, and second, about what is really important in life compared to eternity! Is your life focused on things everlasting? Will you be closer-drawn to God during the times of testing and pressure in your life? Or, are you just interested in the here and now and what “baubles of bling” you can acquire?
“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” I Corinthians 3:12-13.
Only One Life
By C.T. Studd
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
