Queen Barbara Radvilaite with her pearls.
'Coco Chanel was convinced that no fashionable
lady could do without pearls. Such attitudes about power jewels reinforce each
other, suggesting that they are about equally alluring today, neither one
monopolizing all the glamour. Yet, historically, there is no question that
pearls have long been far more prestigious. The taste for diamonds coalesced at
the court of Versailles just three centuries ago, while pearls, the "Queen
of Gems," have been coveted worldwide for millennia. Pearls, ever in vogue
among high-status and pedigreed women, will surely continue bewitching them for
generations to come.'
Today I'm compelled to wrap up about the fear issue, but the topic is endless because every time after the very minute a God-honoring decision has been made, with much prayer and meditation on God's word, Mr. Fear pays a visit in a company of Ms Doubt. What is interesting, Mr. Fear in no doubt what he wants to do: to spread his influence in every area of a believer's life. Some Christians even struggle with their faith regarding salvation from time to time. By the grace of God I've never hit that place spiritually, so I can't speak much about it. But I know exactly how it feels to be swept by the floods of doubts. The enemy knows well that this path will only lead to God-honoring, satisfying circumstances in life, which he hates so much.Now I have to re-tell the stories from my walk with the Lord to my children in order not to forget how great and personal God is, what a grand adventure life by faith could be.
It is a joke to explain to an unbeliever what marvelous things God has done in my life. The fact that I experience His presence daily. It is almost the same as trying to explain to a man how to give birth to a baby. My life is one giant quest of faith and God's supernatural interference, which is a task to explain in mere words. But will try anyway.
The
very first massive promise from God, once I became a believer, was about going to
study in the capital of Russia. That was rather ' an ambiguous promise'
considering that I had no money left or family residing there to help. God
miraculously fulfilled that promise. A promise that followed was about going to
the Bible College in CA, USA. I had a huge obstacle, no passport to travel, but
once again inexplicably the Lord had provided and opened the door wide.
Another
immense promise was about my future husband. The Lord handpicked and showed to
me who my husband is going to be. In spite of all obstacles and many doubts
believe it or not, God did put us together wiping my fear with His word 'for
nothing is impossible with God' Luke 1:37.
So we got married.
When
I look back, I see God of personal miracles all along, so it is not an
irrational thing for me to believe other miraculous events that are mentioned
in the Bible. On the contrary, I anticipate it.
In
my recent discussion with an atheist, I was challenged about everything I
believe about God. I was surprise myself on the affect that it had on me, so
I'm taking time to chew over it. This exchange of ideas and personal
convictions went back and forth for about three weeks. He raised a lot of challenging
questions, but the main thread in all of our conversations was 'there is no evidence for the existence of
God' and there is no such thing as a 'Christian scientist' either. While I had no problem explaining his
misconceptions about Christianity, my unwavering faith in all-powerful God who
performs miracles, he wasn't able to listen or receive this information. That
was truly amazing. His reasoning was:'it makes sense to believe in good of
humanity rather than God', 'live for the moment rather than consider eternity.' 'No, the fact that we have morals doesn't point to a moral -Giver, believe
because you want to believe, not because there is evidence or Christian
scientists discovered anything and ect. Fox News announcement about Noah's Ark
being found can't be valid!' Not that I had no evidence or complete lack of knowledge of
God. Anything I pointed him to wasn't true for him or
good enough! This passage of Scripture comes to mind:
About
the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The
Jews therefore marveled saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when
he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but
his who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the
teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. (John
7:14-17 ESV)
So, did the Jews believe much? Not at all.
As the Lord graciously suggests in another passage of Scripture it
is about time we stop throwing pearls before pigs (Matthew 7:6). It is time to move on and
find someone who is open-minded and willing to be challenged I guess…
After being through such an emotional challenge,
my rival particularly had deep hatred towards the 'Christian god' who doesn't
even exist! Interesting logic.
In the end I had to say: 'I'm speechless.' And
that brought the whole discussion to a permanent stop.
An illustration by Jesus from a parable really helped me to cheer up. At first, I was disappointed that
this OU student I had discussion with, wasn't even any closer to consider the Lord.
But I knew that as long as I'm praying for him Holy Spirit will do His work,
I'm not left alone to convince him. The more I thought about it, the more I've realized:'Bingo, the truth is mine to keep!' Jesus explained about the kingdom of heaven comparing it to
a pearl of great price. This is mine to keep no matter whether others believe
or not, challenge my faith or agree with me. The pearls are staying and their value remains.
A
few years ago my mother brought me river pearls from Russia. They are my
greatest material possession, but they could be just stolen. The truth once you
received it - can't be. Jesus said you will know the truth and the truth will
set you free. I had this discussion going via e-mail while talking to a 'Christian friend' by texts. She professed to be a believer, now she was saying that my truth is
true for me, but she has her own truth that is true for her. According to this
thinking there is no such thing as absolute truth. Wow! That was more that sad for me. I
could only ask her: 'Can you be absolutely sure about it?' During our life as a Christian, we
will be challenged by both believers and non-believers alike. Because our walk with the Lord is so very different from each other.
Recently, while waiting for the dentist, I came across an article on Stephen Lawrence. He was an accomplished young man who got killed in Britain about 19 years ago in a racist
attack. His mother said that she thought it was something that happened on the TV, not in
real life. I don’t think she will ever get over the shock that took her son and
consequently broke her home up. Even though she set up a Charity Fund for less
fortunate young people and blessed over 100 of them with real help, she would
rather have her son back. This is a matter of perspective again - she has no
guarantee that she will ever see him again. Ever. So much for the good of
humanity! Yet another example that contradicts.
While
we as Christians are being ridiculed in today's Britain, we know that our faith
is only a start for the thing yet to come, the spiritual reality that is still
veiled by the Lord.
Have you ever stayed or lived in a proper castle? I did once. The feeling is incredible. I
think Castles only exist for one reason only - to give a taster of what
Jesus' mansion will be like with many rooms! Not even a close visual, but at least a
weak visual is better than nothing for us so physical and so human beings.
Considering
all that, God with His unfailing promises, why atheist pity us Christians is a big
question still. What is so much better that they have to offer? I wish someone gave me a convincing answer yet. Believers know their Maker, Father, Lord, Master, Friend, Comforter, Strong Tower - the list is inexhaustible really personally and this knowledge impossible to fake. You either met the President, or not. Simple as that. We know not of him, but met with him. That's exactly how it works with the Lord.
To
end this entry, I would love to quote a passage from one of the oldest books in the Bible,
Job. A man who knew His God intimately both is great sorrow and great
prosperity. This is what he has to say:
And where is the place of
understanding?
Man
does not know its worth,
and
it is not found in the land of
the living.
The
deep says, ‘It is not in me,’
and
the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
It cannot be bought for gold,
and
silver cannot be weighed as its price.
It
cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
in
precious onyx or sapphire.
Gold
and glass cannot equal it,
nor
can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.
No
mention shall be made of coral or
of crystal;
the
price of wisdom is above pearls.
The
topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,
no
can it be valued in pure gold.
“From
where, then, does wisdom come?
And
where is the place of understanding?
It
is hidden from the eyes of all
living
and
concealed from the birds of the air.
Abaddon
and Death say,
‘We
have heard a rumour of it with our ears.’
“God
understands the way to it,
and
he knows its place.
For
he looks to the ends of the earth
and
sees everything under the heavens.
When
he gave to the wind its weight
and
apportioned the waters by measure,
when
he made a decree for the rain
and a way for the lightning of the
thunder,
then
he saw it and declared it;
he
established it, and searched it out.
And
he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and
to turn away from evil is
understanding.’”
After my discussion with a man who preferred to
believe in good of humanity, death, no hope of better things to come, great
uncertainty about his eternal destination, I felt rather ill in my spirit. The very same week as we were abut to have
lunch at home an old water rat crawled into the garden and was lying right outside of our big dinning room window. We all lost our appetite. She was so miserable and somehow it was
so unpleasant even to look at her. We knew that she was still alive, but about
to die any moment. A friend who happened to come over for some business finished
her off with one blow on the head. Often that all it takes to finish off all
the arguments against existence of God if we have the opportunity. But the only
question that matters in the end: 'Who's got the pearls?!!'
