God speaks through many different ways including His creation.  When I took the time to study the formation of a pearl I discovered how the pearl is a treasure in an earthen vessel just like Christ is in us (2 Cor 4:7-11).  Let’s take a closer look at what goes on inside the shell and discover the hidden treasure that lies within. 

The pearl is the only gem formed in a living organism.  It needs a clean healthy environment to grow.  A current of water helps create that by removing waste and supplying oxygen and nutrients to the environment.  When an irritant finds its way into the shell causing the flesh of the mollusk to get irritated, an organ called the mantle secretes an iridescent substance called nacre.  Over time layers of nacre coat the irritant and a pearl is formed.

Now let’s look at this through spiritual eyes.  We are living creatures like the oyster which need to feed off nutrients from the living Word of God and allow the streams of living water to flow through us which is the Holy Spirit.  We can’t allow ourselves to live in stagnant water if we want Christ to be formed in us. When irritants come into our lives we can allow God to coat them with His love and over time His character, reflection and beauty are formed in us and through us. 

Next, let’s take a look at three different types of pearls.  The first are natural pearls.  These pearls are: rare, uncommon, irreplaceable, made spontaneously, price is determined by weight rather than size and by rarity not necessarily beauty.

Second are cultured pearls.  These pearls are common, made in highly controlled environments, one oyster is sacrificed for another, price determined by size and luster and they can be replaced.

Third are artificial pearls. These pearls are: man made beads, with an iridescent coating, light weight, cheap and have no depth in color.

In our desire to have Christ formed in us, we need to allow God to do that hidden work in us naturally, by the work of His Spirit. We should not be cultured by the world and how it deals with the irritants of life. Nor should we be cultured in church environments that control the living water from flowing, learning to sacrifice but not obey Him or His voice. We need to start asking ourselves are we climbing the “christian” success ladder at the expense of our relationship with God and others? Do we find ourselves faking it saying we are yielded to His ways but really just pretending we are, trying to find every opportunity to escape this hidden work.

It’s only when we surrender our lives to Jesus completely can we be transformed. We don’t want to be a cultured pearl that is shaped but not by His hand nor do we to be the fake pearl that reflects a life with no value, weight or depth.

Oh! Holy Spirit come and reveal to us these places! Help us yield to the work of Your Spirit and let Your life be formed in us; the depths of Your glorious riches revealed to us from within. We choose to yield ourselves and allow Your love to cover over all offenses, hurts and wounds and as we do You will manifest Your nature and Your Glory through us. Jesus, You want to reveal yourself to us from within us. Oh! That we would yield ourselves to you, today!

2 Cor 4:7-10  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always caring about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.