‘Come and See’

Have you ever dug in the earth for a diamond? I’ve never been, but in Arkansas we have the Crater of Diamonds State Park. The year of 2020 was a record year of people visiting and 129,000 visitors came searching for a diamond. 

According to their records one or two diamonds are found every day. The first diamond was found in 1906 by the farmer who owned the land. It became a state park in 1972. The park prepared to celebrate the 35,000th diamond found since 1972 and Scott Kreykes of Dierks registered that diamond.

My favorite diamond is in my wedding set given to me a long time ago. Actually, I lost the first diamond he gave me — in a bin of watermelons at a local grocery store. Talk about sick. I used to love watermelons, but I growl at them now as I walk by … holding and protecting my ring! But we actually upgraded the size of this diamond when we replaced it. So I came out OK.

I’m not into collecting a lot of expensive jewelry, but I do have one other piece that is very special to me. When we got married I gave my bridesmaids a charm with their first initial on it. My husband got one for me and had our wedding date engraved on the back. (I guess he wanted to make sure I didn’t forget.) I wear it on a long gold chain. I love it.

Well about two months ago, it was missing. I was just sick. I couldn’t imagine where it was. It has survived the washer and dryer and all sorts of mischievous hiding places, but it was not showing up this time. I hadn’t even admitted it to hubby. Just kept praying it would show up in a shoe or some place strange — but safe.

You may remember a couple of months ago, we went to Springfield for a funeral of a missionary friend. Well, we wanted to hang around for a few hours and start our date night up there. So I brought a casual shirt, jeans and tennis shoes to change into. I decided I would just change in the back seat because I have very well tinted windows.

Fast forward to last week when a girlfriend and I were riding in the back seat of my car while the guys were in the front seats. She put her hands in a space by the handle and asked if I had been missing “this.” She held up that necklace, and I almost started crying (Maybe I did … I just remember being so grateful she found that.) How many times had that door been opened and that necklace was tucked safely inside and stayed there?

As I gave it some thought later, I remember taking the necklace off before changing clothes so it wouldn’t get lost. But I totally forgot to put it back on.

Do you realize the Bible talks about us searching for wisdom and it’s more important than silver, gold or rubies. The book of Proverbs is full of helpful life lessons. Who doesn’t want to be wise?

Sin which Proverbs calls “Folly” turns out to be an expensive substitute for wisdom and leads people astray every time. Sin promises prosperity and riches, but sin always lies to us.

Wisdom is personified as a beautiful woman in Proverbs who calls aloud begging people to listen. Folly is also personified as a woman — but a harlot who tries to trick young men with her sinful ways.

My devotion leader said we process 3,000 messages a day. Something is always competing for our attention. God uses wisdom to get our attention and she says, “Tune into me.” 

Have you ever tried to listen to a ball game and you’re just slightly out of radio range? You keep fiddling with the dial trying to tune it in better. 

Solomon is telling his son in Proverbs that folly is a trap. Laziness and false words lead us down the wrong path. Our work ethic is more valuable than our skills. 

In Proverbs 8:10-11 it reads, “Receive my instruction and not silver. And knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that one may desire cannot be compared with her.”

I was willing to search high and low for my precious gold necklace (and you should have seen me moving watermelons looking for my diamond!) But God’s Word has all the precious, priceless treasures we will ever need. And when we apply these to our lives we can be “happy and wise.”

Prov. 8:17-19, “I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.”

 I’m not a wealthy person as far as bank accounts and earthly possessions — so don’t come looking for them. But I want to be very wealthy in God’s riches and wisdom. Those are precious commodities that no one can take away from us. God’s wisdom is there for anyone willing to come to Him. 

We say it all the time when we want to share something wonderful with our friends, “Come and See.” 

Our new carpet is supposed to be delivered this week from our flood this summer. I promise when the basement looks great again,  I’ll be saying, “Come and see!”

Well, a relationship with Jesus Christ is better than any new carpet, diamonds, gold, silver, or rubies. “Come and See!”