A diamond in the rough. I’m sure you’ve heard this
analogy before. The last several weeks I have had an urge to research the
formation process of a diamond…and now I know why.
A diamond is a rare gem. A diamond is formed deep
within the earth’s mantle at depths plunging to sometimes 118 miles. It is formed
with carbon containing minerals that provide the carbon source. These minerals
undergo high temperature and pressure to form a diamond in the rough. This
growth occurs over periods from 1 billion years to 3.3 billion years. That is a
long time to be “in the rough” before the diamond is discovered for its eternal
purpose. Which brings me to my next point- the “discovery” process of the
diamond in the rough is fascinating to me. I learned that nearly 50% of
diamonds come from Africa. The diamonds that emerge to the surface of the earth
were forced there by volcanic activity through kimberlite pipes. A kimberlite
pipe is a pipe containing a vertical shaft and tunnels running from the main
pipe. The mines run deep into the earth with hundreds of tons of rock, gravel
and sand that need to be blasted, drilled, crushed and processed.
We
are diamonds in the rough.
This is the revelation the Lord gave me during my
research of diamonds. We are sometimes plunged deep into the chaos of this
life. We face extreme pressures, we seem to always be under stress. Some of us experience
devastation and tragedy to the degree of comparing our lives to an erupting volcano. We feel like we are being blasted, drilled, and crushed with trials
and tumultuous seasons of life. These high temperatures, pressures, blasting,
drilling, and crushing, all help mold us. Sometimes the molding reflects
harshness, defeat, exhaustion, loss of hope, anger, bitterness, and depression. The beauty
of the diamond (Jesus in you) cannot be seen. It is stuck in the rough.
And then the diamond in the rough reaches the
market.
The destiny of the diamond in the rough changes
here.
The diamond in the rough is purchased by a
manufacture.
But the pruning process of the diamond in the rough
isn’t over. It then reaches cutting centers. The diamond in the rough is
examined intricately and then cut to yield
the greatest value. “Taking into consideration the rough’s shape, as well
as the quantity and position of its internal inclusions, the stone is marked
and usually sawed. The stone then goes through a series of diamond cutters who
each have their own specialty. Finally, the diamond is polished and cleaned.”
Diamond Net
Just as the diamond in the rough is purchased by a
manufacture, we were purchased with the blood of Jesus at the Cross. When we
accept Christ as our Lord and Savior—it doesn’t mean we will have a pain free
life. We will continue to be pruned. Our flesh will be cut and sawed with the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the goal of reflecting the image of Christ during our earthly lives—so we can yield
the greatest value—an eternal life with Christ.
We are not defined by how
we came into this world. We are not defined by how deep in sin we used to live.
We are not defined by how many internal cuts and scars we have.
We are defined by who we are in Jesus.
We are marked by the blood of Christ. He chose us. He
purchased us. He accepts us. He yearns for a personal relationship with us, His
diamonds.
Henry Kissinger said, “A diamond is a chunk of coal that did really well under pressure.”
Through the trials, tribulations and the pressures we face during
our earthly lives, we have the greatest opportunity to shine like a diamond. We
have the greatest opportunity to represent our Heavenly Father here on this
earth. Our seasons of “being in the rough”, may very well be the majority of
this life—It doesn’t negate that we are diamonds, destined to shine the light
of Christ.
When you look at a diamond, you don’t see the “rough”
that underwent high temperatures, pressure, crushing, drilling, cutting and
sawing. All you see is the beautiful gem in all of its glorious glimmer. You
see the final product. You see this rough yielding its greatest value as a beautiful
diamond, worn on your finger, or around your neck.
“…She is far
more precious than jewels.” Proverbs 31:10
“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I
have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10
“So that the proof of your faith, being more
precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be
found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus
Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7
When God looks at us, He sees a diamond. Through Jesus, we are able to yield our greatest value. We are able to walk with the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us. We have a new name and a new purpose. We are beautiful diamonds shining through our “rough”.
I Trust my God, I Trust my God, I Trust my God.
Sources: Wikipedia, diamondonnet.com/knowledge/
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