Emerge with the Pearl

April 8

Life without endeavor is like entering a jewel mine and coming out with empty hands. Japanese Proverb

This proverb has a very pointed message. It reminds us that anything worth having is worth fighting for; that anything worth achieving is worth working for; that anything of value has a price. But if we will enter the fray, the ring, the playing field, the challenge, we will come forth with the prize! There is nothing we endeavor to do or to be that doesn't require a profound investment of ourselves.

Sometimes it is that commitment to the effort required that is the greatest part of the challenge we face. Sometimes it is ourselves we must first conquer before we can hope to conquer our circumstances. But if we will apply ourselves to the looming task before us; if we will dig in our heels and hone our determination, we will exit the jewel mine with the treasures of life.

One thing that should motivate our diligence is the scriptural admonition that we, “Do everything our hand finds to do as unto the Lord,” (Ecclesiastes 9:10, Colossians 3:23). Although the cost is high, the prize is worth the investment of our resolve, our determination, our hope, our faith. And the reality is that we don't have to pay the price by ourselves--we have Jesus who has paid it all for us. In our behalf, He has covered the totality of the cost.

We should rejoice in Him, when we have little else in which to take joy. Hope in Him, when our hope is diminished. TRUST HIM, WHEN WE DON'T EVEN TRUST OURSELVES. HE WILL NEITHER FAIL NOR FORSAKE US (Hebrews 13:5). If we will, we shall emerge from the mine with an abundance of jewels, most especially, the “Pearl of great price,” Matthew 13:1-58.