Hidden Diamonds in the Mud

 My mother's cellar was flooded. Many of her personal belongings were ruined, including some of her jewellery because the silver was corroded. My cousin and my mother searched for diamonds in the mud.

In the Bible, silver is sometimes a symbol of human nature. Silver is valuable, but it can also be corrupted. After the fall of man, we are all corrupted, but we were originally created in God's image.

This quote from the letter of James shows both aspects of our corrupt human nature.

but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Jas 3:8–9 NIV

We must look for the diamonds in corrupt humanity, the traces of the image of God.

John Dawson was a missionary in Los Angeles who came from New Zealand. He wanted to win the manager of a porn shop for Jesus. He explained how Jesus died for our sins and that Jesus wanted to forgive his sins. The man agreed, but he would not or could not meet Jesus himself and receive him personally.

Then John Dawson received a new insight from the Holy Spirit.

He told the man that although he was a tough guy on the outside, he was secretly soft and sensitive on the inside. God had implanted mercy in him. As a porn dealer, he passed on comfort, but false comfort. He had the potential to encourage and comfort people.

New hope sprang up in his heart and he placed his life in God's hands.

Do you see chaos and shame in your life story?

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Rom 8:28 NASB95

Joyce Meyer was sexually abused by her father for years. Her life fell apart. Her first marriage was a disaster. But she believed in Jesus and God rebuilt her life.

She has been helping many emotionally wounded women for years. Through her traumatic experiences, she understands the path to recovery for broken women. That's why she can now be grateful for her trauma.

She has found diamonds in the chaotic mud of her life story. She can now pass these diamonds on to help others.