Sand in the shell

A pearl is produced when an irritant, (a grain of sand or a parasite) finds its way into the shell and lodges in the oyster.

The oyster, in order to protect itself, begins to produce a liquid substance called nacre (nay-kur) that surrounds the irritant.

As it produces layers of nacre, a pearl begins to form. It takes years and layers of nacre to produce a finished pearl.

God sends irritants (grains of sand) into our lives to test us; to irritate our flesh, that we may learn to walk in faith; to walk in the spirit, that we don’t fulfill the desires of the flesh; to test us and bring us under subjection to His will for our life, and to bring us into His image and likeness, so that we produce character traits of the Lord.

1 Peter 1:7 “...That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice in as much as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

Paul said we glory (rejoice) in tribulations also because tribulations works patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope.

Every grain of sand God allows in our life is for our own good, “…to transform us into His image from glory to glory, by the spirit of the Lord,” 2 Corinthians 3:18.

What is the irritant in your life? What is God trying to cleanse your heart from? What is rubbing your flesh the wrong way?

Know that the Lord is bringing forth something precious within you; His spirit growing more through you. After layers of nacre, the oyster no longer feels the irritant and at the same time has produced a valuable gem.

Through many trials, we no longer feel the fire, but have learned to walk in the peace of God, and producing something so valuable in us that when people see us, they should see attributes of Christ.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45.

Come join us at the Pearl of Great Price Tabernacle, 212 County Road 2232 in Douglassville. Our Sunday church service begins at 11 a.m. Call 430-342-4829 for prayer and any other information.