Can You Make the Cut?

***If you have just started reading my blog, may I suggest that you read my past 2 blog posts? The train of thought I am on is not actually about gemstones, but something much deeper.***

As I continue my thoughts on "The 4 C's" (please see earlier postings), I find myself on "Cut". Gemstones are cut to enhance their beauty and overall “sparkle”. There are many cuts, or shapes, of gemstones; round (also called brilliant), princess, marquis, pear shaped, trillion, or even heart shaped.

The picture on this post shows a raw or uncut diamond. Diamonds in this state have value, but not as much as a cut diamond. Why? To cut the diamond makes it smaller, yet it still adds value? Isn't "bigger, better"?  Many men view the size of the diamond they buy as a direct connection to the size or quality of their love.  Many women accept that view too. But is bigger always better?  

As facets are cut into a gemstone, they allow the true beauty and color of the gemstone to show. The artistry and precision of the gem-cutter reveals a veritable rainbow in each and every facet.  What once looked like a pretty piece of crystal, now becomes an ever-lasting symbol of love between a man and a woman.  And it's pretty too.  ;)  It is important to note that cutting a raw diamond is risky. What if the gem-cutter makes the cut too deep or too shallow? What if the gem-cutter makes a cut in the wrong place?  If any of these things happen, it will significantly affect the value of the gem.  

As I look at my life, I am like the raw diamond. I know there are things that I must cut out of my life - negativity, fear of the future, insecurities, people who have hurt me, as well as many other things—things that I have become comfortable with. Allowing these things to be cut out of my life is risky.  It will change who I am.  It will significantly change my overall value.  What if The Gem-Cutter makes a cut in the wrong place or makes a cut too deep or too shallow?  If I allow myself to trust my Gem-Cutter, I trust that every cut He makes adds a new facet to my life that contributes to my overall “sparkle”. I trust my Gem-Cutter to guide me in making the cuts that will allow my true beauty and color to show, do you?

Let Me Be Clear...

***If you have just started reading my blog, I am in a series called "The 4 C's".  This is my second post.  If you're interested, please see the previous post.  Also, this shows the science-nerd in me...but it's not really about science.  Read the post to the end to see what I mean.***

Any girl who has looked at engagement rings (or loves some "sparkle" in her life) has been educated on "The 4 C's" of a diamond:  Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat.  Over the next few days/weeks (depending on life), I will be reflecting on how each of these 4 areas relate to me and the facets of my life (and maybe you too...)

Today, I will discuss Color.  When speaking of diamonds, the more colorless a diamond is, the more valuable it is.  The GIA has developed a scale that rates a diamond between a D-Z.  A "D" rating is colorless, or the best.  As I look at the facets of my life, I have to ask myself if I have a "D" rating.  Do I allow unwholesome things to add impurities to who I am and thus affect my "sparkle"?  What kinds of things have the potential to add impurities to the gem God has created me to be?  What kinds of things look like specks of carbon in the diamond that is my life?  Allowing my past to control my present and my future, my ever-present weaknesses, allowing the opinions of others to shape me, the things I allow myself to listen to and watch, and the list could go on and on.  There are so many things that can add impurities to my life.

But here's the thing:  I can control these things.  I can choose to allow my past to be an impurity, or I can allow God's forgiveness to erase that speck of carbon in the diamond of my life.  I can allow the opinions of others to add specks of carbon to who I am, or I can allow God's view of my soul to clearly define me.  Again...the list could go on and on...

I am very clearly (pardon the pun), not colorless.  I have many faults and specks of carbon in the diamond that is my life.  How can I still shine?  Proverbs 27:19 says, "As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart."  I examine the way I live my life, and thus, my heart.  I know I will never be perfect, but I strive to keep my heart in a place to reflect Christ.  

So how do I shine?  The answer is simple.  I don't.  Just like a diamond does not have a source of light and cannot shine until light is directed through it, I don't shine unless I allow Christ to be my source of light and allow HIM to shine through me.  

How do you shine?

A Girl's Best Friend

***The train of thought I'm on is not actually about coal or gemstones, but something much deeper.  So if you're not into science or geology, bear with me and read through to the end.  ***

***WARNING*** The “geology geek” in me is about to peek out a smidgen, but PLEASE endure and read my post…I hope that it will challenge and encourage you!

Did you know that coal and diamonds are made of the same thing? Carbon. The black lumps that we threaten to give naughty children at Christmas and the sparkly gems that women yearn for and men go broke over are both carbon. What’s the difference? Well...to avoid a lot of science-y jargon, it comes down to 2 things:  1)  The chemical structure and 2) Where they are formed. If carbon finds itself (approximately) 80 miles below the surface of the earth, it can become diamond. What are the catalysts for change? Heat and Pressure. The heat comes from the Earth’s core, while the pressure comes from the 80 miles of earth + gravity pressing down on it.

Coal + 80 (or more) miles below the surface + heat + pressure + time (lots) = DIAMOND (ta-da!)

With all of my faults, I can so very easily relate to the coal. I can see others, who are “made of the same stuff” I am, but they sparkle and shine. What’s the difference? How can I transform from the lump of coal I feel that I am, into the gem I'm created to be? Heat and Pressure. Just like a lump of coal requires heat and pressure to transform it into a valuable diamond, my life requires heat and pressure to refine me.

When “the heat is on” can I make the right choices in difficult situations? Can I change the channel when there are compromising things on TV?  Can I zip my lips when I want to give someone a good tongue-lashing?  Can I make the right choices in the privacy of my personal thoughts?

And when the pressures of the world are weighing me down, I have to be strong enough to withstand the elements to become the gem I was created to be. I have to be able to look away from worldly criticism and believe in who God has created me to be.  It isn’t easy, but I have faith that the result will be worth the wait and prove much more valuable in the end.

II Corinthians 5:17 -- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone! The new has come.  -- Be the diamond you were created to be and SHINE!

Stay tuned as I continue this series on diamonds and explore the 4 C's...it's not just a geology lesson.  It's a geology lesson with spiritual implications...coming soon...