Pearls in the Making

Protected from most elements because of an exterior shell, oysters, clams, and other mollusks rest peacefully on the ocean floor. Or so it seems. However, a simple grain of sand or shell, particle of food, or discarded rubbish can squeeze its way into the tight-lipped shell, causing an irritation. A natural occurrence with an automatic response.

Once the mollusk feels the irritation, it begins using its God-given substance, nacre, to eliminate the irritation. Removing the irritant is not for the faint of heart. Layer upon layer, day after day the mollusk is hard at work. Days fade into weeks, weeks into months. Months morph into years. Daunting for sure, but a necessary defensive move. The results are beautiful – worth the investment of time and effort.

For a cultured pearl, the process is the same, but the irritation is forcibly embedded between the shells. A natural pearl has various layers of nacre, while a cultured pearl has a single thick layer of it.

We, much like these mollusks, possess an exterior shell and are frequently exposed to natural and forced irritations. Circumstances, places, or people. Circumstantial irritations look a lot like a new job or church situation, a cross-country move, a challenging health diagnosis, unfulfilled goals, an unexpected and major expense, an overcrowded schedule, etc. Sometimes the irritations come from places like a hostile work environment, being the “low person on the totem pole,” overwhelming tasks at work, home, or school, “Why am I here?” moments, and more. Irritations involving people may squeeze into our tight-lipped exterior by way of unfriendly neighbors, prickly personalities, injustice or unfairness, family members showing up too much or too little, disobedient children, bullies, strangers (or well meaning friends) who judge or comment without thinking, a wayward child or estranged spouse, co-workers, classmates who get on the last nerve, unmet expectations, etc.

Our fleshly defensive mechanism (or nacre) comes automatically in the form of harsh words, bitterness, gossip, the silent treatment, anger, retribution, wishing ill will, crying in a corner, giving up and living in defeat, or reacting with “quills and bristles.” None of these responses reflect the example and heart of our Savior.

Instead, God gives us supernatural nacre to respond. Our refining pearl-making process comes from extending grace, offering true forgiveness (whether or not you’ve been asked for it), continuing faithfully in prayer, clothing ourselves in God’s armor, trading our heavy burden for God’s because His “yoke is easy and burden is light (Matt. 11:30),” and practicing the true love described in 1 Corinthians 13. 

Covering our irritants is not for the faint of heart. Layer upon layer, day after day we must give them back to the Lord. Days fade into weeks and weeks into months. Months morph into years. Daunting for sure, but a successful defensive move when we allow God to fight our battles (2 Chron. 32:8), when we cast our care on Him (1 Pet. 5:7), and when we press on toward God’s high calling (Phil. 3:14). God’s calling is perseverance, persistence, and prayer.

Ultimately, though, it’s pearls. Those pearls may form quickly, take a little while, or not be experienced until the pearly gates of Heaven, but each one is perfectly providential and precious. 

Priceless pearls.