Developing strength in adversity
Some gardeners start their plants inside to get them established. Then, when the danger of frost is over, they transplant them to the garden outside. My little seedlings have been growing in a plastic hothouse and are now too big. They will most certainly wither if they don’t get more earth to develop fully. My plants have enjoyed the warmth inside and the special care they have received, but they can’t stay “strong” unless their roots grow and spread out. I must transplant them soon.
We are like the delicate sprouts! When we first come to a full understanding of the truth, we are like seedlings without much strength, babes in Christ, roots not fully developed (as in Matt. 13:21, some never get strong roots). New babes in Christ need special attention from their brothers and sisters. Some ecclesias have classes for the newly baptized, and appoint or divide among themselves the duties of overseeing their growth. Eventually though, the new ones will need to learn to derive their strength from God through their own Bible study — thus turning to God for their greatest strength.
Seeds are like oysters
Just as seeds have shells, so do the oysters in the sea. Remarkably, there are more similarities. Oysters are soft-bodied animals. They have two hard, protective shells and they spend their entire life in one underwater location, usually near land. Precious pearls are sometimes found inside oysters, but not in all. Pearls are formed when a grain of sand or some other irritating substance gets inside the oyster’s shell. A shiny substance called “nacre” coats the intruding irritant over and over, and after years of this layered substance, the oyster forms a lustrous pearl! Pearls are rather soft and they absorb as well as reflect light, whereas mineral gems differ in that they are usually hard and only reflect light.
The layers of the nacre build up around the grain of sand, making little crystals of a mineral called “aragonite”. These crystals overlap and break up light that falls on them into little “rainbows of color”. This gives the pearl its iridescence. Cultured pearls are ones that have been specially planted — a tiny pellet inside the oyster. When the oysters are about seven years old, they are opened up to harvest the cultured pearls.
Shape of pearls
When pearls are evaluated, the shape is just as important as the color. The round ones are the most sought for necklaces. The button-shaped and the drop-shaped pearls are used for earrings. Matching pairs are more valuable than unmatched pearls. All pearls have flaws!
What does this teach us?
We are told by Paul the Apostle in Acts 14:22 that it is through much tribulation that we enter the Kingdom of God. This is like the oyster that finds an irritating grain of sand inside (a trial) and immediately it covers it over and over again with its special ingredient of nacre (prayer). Oysters will slam their shells shut whenever an enemy approaches, and they will stay shut for up to two weeks. Likewise, we too must learn to turn from temptation that will cause us to sin.
Proverbs 24:10
We are told, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” Just as the pearl with the irritating grain of sand, our adversities may be small, but after layers and layers of prayer, our character will develop into one that reflects Christ. We become a lustrous pearl of great price! Just as little seeds grow into large trees, if we learn to deal with our adversity, depend on God for our strength, surround ourselves with support, and avoid the enemies that surround us, we will become a strong tree. False friends, wolves in sheep’s clothing, may deceive us, but by separating and “slamming our shells shut” as does the oyster, and choosing what is beneficial for our salvation, we will condition our hearts and our behavior and become strong in Christ.
Reactions to life
It is obvious that we must make good choices early on in our discipleship to become strong followers of Christ. We must know the commandments and practice them. We must decide to do the Bible readings… to support and encourage others… to choose good friendships in the truth… to consider our employment and how it affects us or if it conflicts with our walk in Christ.
All decisions are important, and especially our reactions to trial and temptation. We will be judged by our character… by the pearl we have become. The pearl developed in adversity, through much tribulation, will become valuable in the Kingdom of God. Its beauty will never fade. It will be like its Latin name, “unio” — unity! — for it will express unity in diversity. No two pearls are exactly alike — each is different.
We look forward to that time when we shall be united as one in Christ — reflecting the glory of God, becoming that one pearl that adorns the gates of New Jerusalem, where the nations will be ushered in to learn about and worship the LORD.
“And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Mal. 3:17).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One