Getting engaged with the token of a beautiful diamond ring is a thrill for a young lady. I recall shopping for my engagement ring with John. Our understanding at the time was that we were a team, and we were going to work through all decisions together.

We found an unusual gem. Its fire was much brighter than the other gems in its price range. The jeweler looked closely at the little piece of translucent art and declared, “It’s got a huge flaw that gives it its unusual brilliance. Maybe you won’t want this imperfect one.”

But the little gem won our hearts.

It was perfect for us. God Himself had designed a little fissure that ran in such a way through John’s token of love for me that when the light caught it just right, it shone as if it were twice the size.

Shortly after our engagement, I was at work. One of my co-workers entered the front door – which was at the top of a set of stairs from where I sat – bounding down the steps with so much vivacity, I thought she might stumble.

“Let me see it!” She exclaimed. Once she reached me, she grabbed my hand and looked at my engagement ring. She paused and did a double-take, looking more closely at my hand.

“Please don’t be offended when I say this, because it’s really a compliment,” she started. “I could see your engagement ring shining from the top of the stairs when I came in the door. I thought it was at least twice the size! But this one is so you!” She went on to complement John’s wisdom in purchasing a ring with such natural brilliance over a larger unaffordable ring.

Just as our little gem needed crafting, we need the gentle hand of The Master Jeweler every day as we continue growing into the likeness of Jesus.

We trust in the Master gemologist who knows His handiwork.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 1:4-5

I would love my bright side to shine all the time. It shines best when I tune into God’s Good Spirit that dwells in me. It shines out of the Master-crafted facets of my life. The incredible of all is the work of the Holy Spirit within. He shines out of the fissures despite being deemed imperfect to the human eye.

Amazing!