The streets were crowded, and the throng pressed in. People were laying down the very clothes from their backs to cover the streets. “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” The crowd roared.
Pharisees called to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
“I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Jesus replied.
How amazing! The stones will cry out.
I am constantly fascinated by the instruction we can gain from God’s creation. I believe that our world is full of things to learn. Join me as we listen to the stones teach God’s lesson today.
Lessons from the Diamond
Diamonds begin as graphite, a soft and formless crystal. Deep below the crust of the earth
under intense heat and pressure that soft and formless graphite is transformed! It becomes one of the most valuable gems in the world.
In our walk with God, we begin as unformed and soft new creatures. But over time, we encounter challenges and pressure. These severe trials are incredibly difficult, uncomfortable, and painful. It is easy to let go, and fall to the temptations that surround us. But when we lean on God through the pressures of this life, He transforms us into something greater than our former selves. We are changed into something hard and strong. Beautiful, and priceless. We become a jewel beyond compare.
So what is our lesson from the diamond?
It is through pressure and heat that we find strength and take form.
Lessons from the Pearl
Pearls are formed by living creatures called clams. It just so happens that sometimes an irritant enters a clam’s shell. This irritant is so exasperating to the clam that it coats the irritant in a self-produced substance called nacre. Over time the irritant is completely covered in nacre, turning that irritating substance into a pearl, one of the most cherished gems in our
world.
Our lives are filled with obnoxious influences. It could be anything, at any time. These irritants often cause us to respond in inappropriate ways. But when we apply the healing salve of patience and kindness to those irritants, we develop beautiful results. We turn an irritant into a gem of virtue.
So what is the lesson from the pearl?
It is only through patience and kindness that we can turn irritants into virtues.
Lessons from the Emerald
Emeralds are formed over time with the slow buildup of minerals. Each beautiful gem is created one molecule at a time. This results in one of the most beautiful gems in the world.
When we become Christians, we often look at other more mature Christians, and we compare
ourselves to them. We want to be as good as them from the very beginning. The reality is, though, it takes time to develop and to grow. It takes time to develop the character of Christ. But when we do, it is a priceless and beautiful thing.
The lesson from the emerald?
Growth takes time, develop one step at a time.
So my friends, you can see that the stones cry out. They tell us the character of Christ,
and how to get there. Let’s look at what we’ve learned.
Lessons from the stones
Diamond: Heat and pressure make us strong and beautiful. Lean on God.
Pearl: Patience and kindness can turn irritants into virtues.
Emerald: Growth takes time, developing one step at a time.
Each of these lessons can help us in our walk with God. We must always remember to lean
on him. God will transform us and turn us into something better than our previous
selves: jewels without price, beautiful, precious, and strong!
With love,
~ Sarah Paschall
