SPARKLES...

SPARKLES!

When clicking by a home shopping network now and then, I am always puzzled by the gasping giddiness surrounding trinkets that shine and glitter on ears, necks, fingers, and wrists. Where did I miss the diamonds are a girl’s best friend conviction? Don’t those things begin as coal? Isn’t glass just as mesmerizing? Wearing jewellery makes me feel like a Christmas tree, so I don’t. I admit some is pretty, but if asked to guess its value, I would be hard-pressed to know the difference between a purchases in a big box warehouse that costs double figures from the many thousands spent at that famous fancy shop in THE GATEWAY MALL where Holly had a light breakfast. It isn’t only diamonds that seem to have a universal appeal. So does gold. The only thing I know about that is it is measured in a word that sounds like rabbit food. A sassy bunny named Bugs loved his vitamin-filled carrots, but we never saw him crunching on flavourless, dangerous-to-the-teeth carats. There would be no nourishment, except maybe some fibre. Historically, way back in the day, there was a lure to rush to a far Egoli Village to buy a donkey, a pickaxe, and a canteen and strike out to make a fortune digging and panning that sought-after soft yellow mineral. Sadly, there is evidence that many prospectors were seriously fooled by stuff pretending to be the real thing—lots of food for thought here that would support a plethora of sermon illustrations or devotional reminders. Perhaps the attraction is in the eye appeal? But, if that were true, sparkly glass that is moulded in diamond shapes and set in four-pronged settings for fingers or resting in a crown atop a royal head would be just as impressive. A well-known movie star was given a multi-million-dollar ring. The story was that she was so afraid of being accosted and robbed that she had it locked in a safe while she wore a perfect imitation. So, why not use that money to feed a whole town and use the fake one from the start? There are so many things I do not understand. The oft-repeated adage, all that glitters is not gold, means more than being taken in by a pseudo metal that pretends to be the real thing while hiding behind a shiny façade. The same idea applies to relationships, iffy business deals, and more than anything, the worship of anyone besides the authentic Jesus. They say a real diamond will cut glass, but glass apparently will not scratch a real diamond. In the same vein, our genuine Christ will forgive our sins and save us for eternity. A false lord’s glittery message may tickle ignorant ears, but there is not one speck of saving value there. Meantime, on the worldly level, I continue to stumble along in blissful ignorance and homonym/homophone confusion about the jewellery thing. In the end, I guess it’s all about perspective. I heard someone on television oohing over the most splendid “gem” they had ever seen. Not surprisingly, my unpolished mind went directly to cooking shows and soccer games! Maybe that’s a blessing. In truth, I am most definitely sure of one thing. Jesus loves me this I know. All else, shiny or not, is merely wood, hay, and stubble. _____ Proverbs 16:16 (NLT) How much better to get wisdom than gold and good judgment than silver!