You know all the saints...well, not personally, but you've read about the dedicated saints in the Bible, the devout saints of church history, the delightful saints of the faith we know by name...the late Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Luis Palau, Jim Elliot, Joni Erickson Tada, Bill Bright--saints "in my book" who've made a mark on our world for Christ. But "Saint Pearl?" Never heard of her!
Well, walk to the nearest mirror, look therein and greet her--or him! You see, you and I are saints too, sandy ones still in process. God is using the sandy irritations within the shell of life to make us into the lovely pearls HE already sees. That's how pearls are made! We are being conformed to His image, being created into a lovely animate object of great worth--by the Pearl of Great Price!
And so, as you face REAL life today--or yesterday or tomorrow--don't fret if a little "sand" in the sea shell tries you or tests your "saintliness." You ARE a saint in God's eyes, whether you feel like it or not...the daily grind is doing its unseen work...so work on, Lord...let the sand in my seashell work for good--in me and in the Kingdom of God.
Irritated by people, circumstances, situations beyond your control? Tired of trying to keep saintly in the middle of it all? Don't try anymore--trust HIM! He's making a beautiful pearl out of all the "nitty-gritty" problems that now discourage and dishearten you. Believe it, Sandy Saint Pearl, have a great day--and look out, world! The SAINTS, with all their imperfections, are pearls-in-progress on your planet, and well on their way to be lift up your fallen, reach out to your forgotten and light up your land!
Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word
"For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13 KJV)."
Draw from the Well--a prayer for renewing strength for this day
"Lord, the little irritants of life are heavy on my heart; help me to let them go--into Your care and keeping; to know You are working on me and in me through the testings of life, making me into the beautiful saint You died for and that You already see; thanks for the "sandy" bits that send me to You, that help me to grow; I trust You fully to complete the work You have started in me, In Your Name, Amen."
