My Verse

Isaiah 43:1

"But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Isreal, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!"

Friday, October 28, 2011

Crater of Diamonds and More Unearthing of My Heart

Last week, my husband took some vacation time. Because it was sort of short notice we didn't really have time to go anywhere fancy, and so we looked at the map to see what was close by.  Texas being such a big state, we knew we didn't want to spend the majority of our time driving across it.  Arkansas, here we come!
It was a short 4 hour drive to Murfreesboro, and in no time we were digging our way to a retirement fund!  Ha, not really!  For those who have no clue what I'm talking about, here is a little insight:
Being the amateurs that we were, we picked a comfortable spot close to the entrance, and started digging.  The girls were excited!  Caeli just knew we were going to strike it rich and find a diamond, and Alyvia was concerned that everyone else would beat us to the diamonds, and we would leave empty handed (which we did).  
We had filled one bucket full of dirt, and Stacy and Caeli had headed off to the washery (I guess that is what you call it, I'm so official!).  Alyvia was skipping and throwing rocks, and I was busy digging (but not enough to really get dirty, it was very superficial).  I would thrust my shovel into the ground and pull up some fresh muddy dirt, and then Alyvia and I would comb through it (sort of), and then I would dig some more.  
Suddenly...
I hit something hard.  A large rock!  You know the kind (well if you've ever done any digging of any kind for any reason), buried beneath lots of dirt, and all you can see is one tiny corner, but you know its gotta be huge cause you can't just reach in and pull it out.  So, I got my shovel and tried to find where this rock ended.  
Probably because I'm stubborn, but also because I'm so curious, I couldn't just let it go.  I had to figure out where this rock ended so I could pull it out, and get back to digging!  I mean I was gonna find a diamond (yeah right)!

There are a couple of analogies I can think of, that would apply to my spiritual life right now.  As I mentioned in my last post, I am taking part in Redemption Groups at church.  For more information about it, check out Mike Wilkerson's book Redemption.  

God has been unearthing my heart.  Kind of like my experience in the field digging for diamonds.  Only, God knows where to look, exactly, and He's not looking for tiny minute diamonds, He is digging to get to my heart.  And just before we left for vacation, I had reached a point where I told God, "Enough already."  He just kept thrusting that shovel into my dirt, and it seemed with every strike I was being left more vulnerable and open.  "But God, I want to keep my heart buried.  It is easier this way.  Can't you  just surface look?"  He thrusts His shovel in again.  "Why do You insist I deal with this, now?"  
My heart, to Him, is a precious jewel.  
He gave all His possessions to buy this field of dirt in order seek out that precious jewel. 
Matthew 13:44  
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up.
Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

I AM HIS. 
 
He has purchased me with the blood of His Son.  Who am I to say, "enough, stop digging in my life"?  And so He thrusts His shovel in, each day, unearthing this buried treasure, the precious jewel, pearl of great price, because He longs for it.  He desires my heart, not my actions or words or good thoughts, He desires my heart.
Psalm 51:10a Create in me a clean heart oh God.