Pearl Hunting

Some things are not worth chasing after – like becoming a billionaire or obtaining that elusive pant size you wore in high school. It doesn’t matter how hard you try; it is most likely that you will never achieve your goal, or, if you do, it won’t be worth the cost.

Some things are worth pursuing… a good job, a college education. It may be hard work to obtain these things, but it pays off in the end.

And then there are things that are of such value that even if you must give your all to obtain it, it is far and beyond worth it. The value of the item far exceeds the amount of time, energy, and resources that you exchange for it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it” Matthew 13:45, 46.

Our beloved Father has offered Ian and me a piece of the kingdom of heaven – the opportunity to love and parent one of his little ones who has already suffered great injustices because of the sin and selfishness of the fallen world in which we live. We have been given the chance to be His hand of redemption; taking a life that has been all but thrown away and loving and nourishing it as our own dear child.

Now, I won’t lie – I will occasionally whine and complain on how much this has and will cost – in time, effort, not to mention the huge chunk of change we will have to come up with to pay all the people making this happen. But when I step back and take a moment to ask God what He thinks, I hear His voice telling me that this child is a pearl – but not just any pearl – one of extraordinary value. He constantly reassures us that this will be more than worth it.

I also hear His voice telling me “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed” (2 Corinthians 2:9). We don’t know how we will be able to come up with the cost of this great pearl, but we know that God will provide. I know that sounds cliché, but I know in my heart that not only is it true – but it will happen. God is a promise keeper. So while we pour out our meager funds, energy, time, even giving up our pride (probably the hardest of all to give up), God will take and multiply it – it will be “pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38).

There is good news in this for you too, dear reader! The pearls of the kingdom of heaven are many! And our Father has equipped you too with the resources to go out and buy! The promises that He has given to Ian and me are not ours alone – they belong to all of His people who are called by His name. He has laid out the great adventure of pearl hunting for each of us. Some of your pearls may be the ministry He has called you to, or Christ-like love and devotion to your spouse. Maybe, just maybe, He has given you a pearl like ours – a child from a distant land. There is only one way to know… ask Him!