Notes from this week's podcast: Many Pearls, Not Just One

One of the biggest encounters, in searching for a pearl, is waiting. The moment that we are in may be wrapped up in a sequence of time. 

* There is a purpose in the moment. 

In making real pearls, it always requires an irritation. 

     God is perfecting something in your life. 

     God is making and molding us into His image. 

     In the irritation, it can bring a lot of joy. 

I learned (in the let downs of expectations) to trust God. I can truly look up into the face of God and say, "I trust You."  It's good that you have been afflicted. "Now you're going to learn to run to My Word." 

We expect God to move "quickly," in our time frame. But God is not bound by time because He is eternal. From His eternal seat in Heaven, He works out His purpose. We must rise up to that position where He is. 

* It takes "time" out of our promise, but walking in the footsteps of God. Then, we can walk humbly with Him, broken before Him, getting to know Him. 

Finding my pearl in the moment, and while there may be some waiting on the promise, I get up in the heavenlies and realize God is refining me. He is not going to rush the process -- showing me my flesh, selfishness, pride, arrogance, haughtiness, envy, jealousy. Why? He's trying to get it out of the way BECAUSE it will have an influence on how valuable the pearl is. All of those things are blemishes that can devalue the pearl. He's refining it. 

He's showing me that I'm not ready to enjoy the finished product. That promise -- He's showing me that my heart isn't prepared for it yet. He wants it to be an overflow of joy. 

Scripture reading and study: Psalm 27:13, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 57:15