This devotional on Jewels first appeared in Faith on Every Corner digital magazine. You can see it here.
What is a jewel? The dictionary offers several definitions; 1) a gemstone, 2) anything considered precious or valuable, and 3) a person that is treasured, esteemed, or indispensable. Of course, most people think of gemstones when they hear the word. Many of us find ourselves captivated by the beauty of rare gems. In fact, millions of people flock each year to see the Crown Jewels in London. And, what says more about love than giving a glittering diamond to someone special. But I want to talk about something God taught me about the jewels in the crown of Christ.
The Jewel Vision
The idea of jewels took on a different meaning for me several years ago. I attended a women’s conference at my church. The speaker at the event walked us through a biblical mediation exercise. She had us close our eyes and think about a verse from the Bible that held a special meaning to us. As I thought about my favorite verse, Romans 8:28, a vision flashed through my mind.
I saw a church narthex with the floor covered in jewels that sparkled and glowed like a rainbow of colors in the image. Then, I also noticed the variety of sizes and shapes. And, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to sweep up the treasures and take care of them. Then the vision disappeared. I never shared about the image because I did not understand the message God wanted to give me. Still, I tucked it away because I knew it had a meaning, and I prayed that God would reveal it to me someday.
Discovery of the Meaning
Fast forward to many years. One day, I read a book called “No Longer a Slumdog: Bringing Hope to Children in Crisis” by K.P. Yohannan. This book tells the stories of many poor Indian children and how they suffer in their society. The book shows how God redeemed them with His love. As I read the book, one sentence resonated with me, and for some reason, it brought back the memory of the vision. The sentence read, “Can we see them as Jesus does, so special to Him, their worth like jewels beyond compare.” I had never thought of others as jewels, but Christ does. So then, I also realized that Christ wants me to see everyone around me as His precious jewels. Thus, Jesus finally showed me the meaning of the vision He gave me. But, how would I apply it to my life?
Confirmation
Later, I saw an example of God could use me as a jewel to serve others. During a trip to Kenyan, we planned to visits lots of areas in and around the Lake Victoria region to evaluate projects we could help with. We stopped to see one church in dire need of repairs. The sight of God’s house in such disrepair broke my heart. We walked around to get a better look but found the doors locked. Some locals told us where the custodian lived, so we decided to go to his house.
As is Kenyan tradition, the custodian invited us in for tea. His wife became very animated and kept pointing at us. She did not speak English, but our friend provided an interpretation for us. He explained that the lady had dreamed about a white couple coming to visit her home, and they brought a treasure chest of jewels with them to help them rebuild their church. She went on to say that we were the people she saw in her dream. She added that we were the jewels in her dream.
Biblical Jewels
The Bible also confirmed this vision for me. First, I found Zechariah 9:16; “On that day The Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.” This speaks to how God sees his people as jewels. Another verse is Revelations 21:11; “having the glory of God, its radiance like a rarest jewel.” The verse talks about the New Jerusalem and compares the new city to a gem of great worth. So heaven (the New Jerusalem) will shine brightly because of God’s radiance, and we will shine in the reflection of His beauty like sparkling jewels.
God calls each of us to see others as God sees us. And, when we see each other as jewels in the crown of Christ, we can see beyond the flaws to love each other. We are the jewels in the Crown of Christ, and our worth comes from loving and serving others in His name.
Prayer
Heavenly Father. Thank you for seeing us as a precious gem. Please teach us to see and value those around us as much as You do. Your love and mercy turn each of us into a sparkling jewel. Thank you for such a beautiful gift. In Jesus’ Holy Name. Amen.
Do you need prayer? I would love to pray for you. Submit your prayer request on my website at https://yvonne-morgan.com/submit-your-prayer-request-here/
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Thank you for being such a treasured gem in my life ma’am. While we are all gems, I especially appreciate how God uses you as a “polishing cloth of faith” to help us each shine our brightest as God shapes each of us to reflect His glory as only we can. God’s blessings ma’am.
Thank you sir. We are all gems that are called to polish each other. May you shine brightly today and every day. May Fod bless you
What a wonderful account of the Holy Spirit’s workings. I love this post!
Thanks Nancy. He does move in amazing ways.
Yvonne, I love hearing stories like this of how God leads us to the places he has called us to go and then confirms that calling. God works like this in the wider world. I love what you do all over the world, Yvonne, and all that you and your husband have undertaken in so many countries. The Lord has led you each step of the way, confirming where you should go and what you should do. When our Savior finds willing servants, he utilizes us.
Our family does ministry in India — seminary campus, satellite campuses, church planting, homes to care for needy children, schools, etc. That book by K.P. Yohannan is such a good one! My husband just returned from the latest mission board meeting, where they heard of one confirmation after another that opened doors for new projects. God is good to let us be a part of what he’s doing in the world!
Amen. I love the work your family is doing in India. May He continue to bless it abundantly. Thanks
Amen. When we see each other as His creation, we are reminded to show His love and glory.
Yes we are all jewels in His hands and need to treat each other as such precious beings. Thanks Melissa
Love this! Reminds me of this quote by C.S. Lewis in The Weight of Glory:
“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
Amen Ava. I love C.S. Lewis. He has such an incredible gift with his words. I love the part, “you have never talked to a mere mortal.” If only we would learn from this and try to see everyone through the eyes of Christ. Thanks 🙏 Ava
Yvonne, such a lovely and powerful message. This thought to “see each other as jewels in the crown of Christ, we can see beyond the flaws to love each other” is wonderful.
Yes, we can see the value of each person through God’s eyes. Thanks Karen
I love the notion of seeing past others’ flaws and cherishing the jewel they are in Christ. I am grateful God sees the jewel in me and doesn’t hold my past sin against me!
Me too Jessica. Thanks for commenting