SEEING ACRES OF DIAMONDS
Scripture: Psalms 119:18 – Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Isaiah 26:3-4 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusted in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Hebrews 12:2 – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are very fearful. Some are losing their jobs, some are sick and/or dying, others are worried about their future. Many have to still work, and they are concerned that they may catch the virus and pass it on to family members. Numerous people are separated from family members who are in nursing homes or who live far away. We are wondering how long will this pandemic last. What will be the new normal in our daily lives? When will a vaccine be discovered for this virus? How and when will the economy recover? We have never experienced this exact pandemic before in our lifetime. Dealing with the unknown can be scary/difficult/overwhelming. During these times and all times, we must continually keep our eyes focused on the Lord.
The Acres of Diamonds is a true story which was told of an African farmer who heard tales about other farmers who had made millions by discovering diamond mines. He could hardly wait to sell his farm to go prospecting for diamonds himself. He sold his farm and spent the rest of his life wandering the African continent searching unsuccessfully for diamonds. Finally, being in despair because he never found diamonds, he threw himself into a river and drowned. Meanwhile, the man who had purchased his farm happened to be plowing his fields and found these ugly black rocks. He put the largest rock he found on his fireplace mantel as decoration. Several weeks later, someone visited the farmer and asked him if he knew what was on his fireplace mantel. The farmer thought it was just an ugly black rock. The visitor informed him that he had found one of the largest diamonds ever discovered! The farmer told his visitor that there were many rocks in his field – of various sizes. They were “diamonds in the rough”. The farmer who originally owned the farm (who killed himself) didn’t realize that he had acres of diamonds at his farm. He went elsewhere to explore. What he was looking for, he already had, but didn’t realize it.
It is amazing that this COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone – whether we are rich or poor, have several degrees or certifications, or have a lot of material things. Our security has to be in the Lord alone. The most important lesson from this story doesn’t have to do with searching for material riches, or realizing that the grass is not always greener on the other side -- but the most important lesson has to do with our eyes being opened. Psalms 119:18 says “Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” It is so important in the midst of all that we are going through to read/study God’s Word on a daily basis. (II Timothy 2:15) We need to have our eyes opened. Hidden in this COVID-19 pandemic are acres of diamonds! We have to zero in on and spend time with and nurture what is most important in our lives. We have to make sure that we have a personal relationship with the Lord. (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10) Then we can try to develop relationships with our biological family, with those at church, and where we are employed. Are there things in your personal life that you have not been paying attention to or seeing the importance of? The Lord wants us to open our eyes spiritually to see what is important to Him for us.
Twenty/twenty (20/20) vision is considered perfect vision. We need 20/20 vision spiritually in 2020 during this season of the pandemic or any year. We have to realize that God is in control, and He is the only one who can help us. During the greatest times of hardship, as we pray/seek the Lord, trust the Lord, have faith in the Lord, obey the Lord, the Lord will give us opportunities and/or He will direct our paths to: share the good news of Jesus Christ, help others who are in need, reprioritize, readjust/recalibrate our responsibilities/duties, show us our sin so that we can repent, show us how we can spend more time with our families, give us creative ways to further use our gifts and talents! God created us and has a purpose for our lives. (Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 2:13) After inviting Jesus Christ into our lives, it is important for us to grow in the things of the Lord. We are to be so in tuned with Him that what we desire is what He desires/purposes for our lives. (Psalms 37:4) Sometimes we have to throw away our blueprints for our lives and become aligned with His blueprint. When we desire what He wants for us, those things work out in our lives. Do you believe that you are a “diamond in the rough”. The Lord wants to shape, mold and transform our lives, but we have to learn to yield/submit to His will. II Chronicles 7:14 says “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” We have to have 20/20 vision spiritually to see what the Lord has for us to learn/experience during these times.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Please open our eyes so that whatever you want us to learn, we will learn and apply in our lives. Help us to see things according to Your perspective. Please take away our hidden agendas and/or wrong motives. Help us to repent of our sins, and help us to trust/obey You with our whole heart. Please give us 20/20 vision spiritually. All this I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Marsha Williams)
During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are very fearful. Some are losing their jobs, some are sick and/or dying, others are worried about their future. Many have to still work, and they are concerned that they may catch the virus and pass it on to family members. Numerous people are separated from family members who are in nursing homes or who live far away. We are wondering how long will this pandemic last. What will be the new normal in our daily lives? When will a vaccine be discovered for this virus? How and when will the economy recover? We have never experienced this exact pandemic before in our lifetime. Dealing with the unknown can be scary/difficult/overwhelming. During these times and all times, we must continually keep our eyes focused on the Lord.
The Acres of Diamonds is a true story which was told of an African farmer who heard tales about other farmers who had made millions by discovering diamond mines. He could hardly wait to sell his farm to go prospecting for diamonds himself. He sold his farm and spent the rest of his life wandering the African continent searching unsuccessfully for diamonds. Finally, being in despair because he never found diamonds, he threw himself into a river and drowned. Meanwhile, the man who had purchased his farm happened to be plowing his fields and found these ugly black rocks. He put the largest rock he found on his fireplace mantel as decoration. Several weeks later, someone visited the farmer and asked him if he knew what was on his fireplace mantel. The farmer thought it was just an ugly black rock. The visitor informed him that he had found one of the largest diamonds ever discovered! The farmer told his visitor that there were many rocks in his field – of various sizes. They were “diamonds in the rough”. The farmer who originally owned the farm (who killed himself) didn’t realize that he had acres of diamonds at his farm. He went elsewhere to explore. What he was looking for, he already had, but didn’t realize it.
It is amazing that this COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone – whether we are rich or poor, have several degrees or certifications, or have a lot of material things. Our security has to be in the Lord alone. The most important lesson from this story doesn’t have to do with searching for material riches, or realizing that the grass is not always greener on the other side -- but the most important lesson has to do with our eyes being opened. Psalms 119:18 says “Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” It is so important in the midst of all that we are going through to read/study God’s Word on a daily basis. (II Timothy 2:15) We need to have our eyes opened. Hidden in this COVID-19 pandemic are acres of diamonds! We have to zero in on and spend time with and nurture what is most important in our lives. We have to make sure that we have a personal relationship with the Lord. (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10) Then we can try to develop relationships with our biological family, with those at church, and where we are employed. Are there things in your personal life that you have not been paying attention to or seeing the importance of? The Lord wants us to open our eyes spiritually to see what is important to Him for us.
Twenty/twenty (20/20) vision is considered perfect vision. We need 20/20 vision spiritually in 2020 during this season of the pandemic or any year. We have to realize that God is in control, and He is the only one who can help us. During the greatest times of hardship, as we pray/seek the Lord, trust the Lord, have faith in the Lord, obey the Lord, the Lord will give us opportunities and/or He will direct our paths to: share the good news of Jesus Christ, help others who are in need, reprioritize, readjust/recalibrate our responsibilities/duties, show us our sin so that we can repent, show us how we can spend more time with our families, give us creative ways to further use our gifts and talents! God created us and has a purpose for our lives. (Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 2:13) After inviting Jesus Christ into our lives, it is important for us to grow in the things of the Lord. We are to be so in tuned with Him that what we desire is what He desires/purposes for our lives. (Psalms 37:4) Sometimes we have to throw away our blueprints for our lives and become aligned with His blueprint. When we desire what He wants for us, those things work out in our lives. Do you believe that you are a “diamond in the rough”. The Lord wants to shape, mold and transform our lives, but we have to learn to yield/submit to His will. II Chronicles 7:14 says “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” We have to have 20/20 vision spiritually to see what the Lord has for us to learn/experience during these times.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Please open our eyes so that whatever you want us to learn, we will learn and apply in our lives. Help us to see things according to Your perspective. Please take away our hidden agendas and/or wrong motives. Help us to repent of our sins, and help us to trust/obey You with our whole heart. Please give us 20/20 vision spiritually. All this I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Marsha Williams)
Archive
2024
January
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