Gold.
Everything that glitters isn’t Gold....
Lately I’ve had that saying ringing in my ear. It’s almost like a constant reminder to not admire too much of what I see without understanding. The art of not getting caught up in the flashiness of things but to truly “test the spirit”. God has truly shown me this year what matters the most and this quarantine has also been a tool in the hand of God. It’s shown me the virtue in encountering His presence in prayer and worship in my own living room. Spending time with loved ones and making memories with one another. Addressing parts of me that needed to be healed. Having uncomfortable conversations for the sake of true reconciliation. These are things that in the busyness of life, we can miss. It’s all gold, because it’s all God.
I’m reminded of just how easy it can be to be fooled by the “glittered” things in life. Friendships, relationships, jobs, etc. all until its tested. Just like gold is. We find out the true quality of it which encourages real change.
For example, I recently celebrated my 30th birthday with my twin sister last week. It was by far one of the most fruitful times we’ve had together celebrating. I can honestly say, from the dinner, to our creative 90’s party, to the gifts we received…. Everything was gold. We commemorated in a way that fit us. We surrounded ourselves with people who truly love us, and thanked God for all He has done throughout year 29 and even prior. It has been such a journey. To spend it that way made it so much better.
It wasn’t expensive. We didn’t gather 10 friends to go on a trip to Cabo. We didn’t even buy a cake. But we did have memories, fruitful well wishes and gifts that money can’t (and can lol) buy. However, I wasn’t always like that. I used to be very superficial when it came to those things. When I was 18 we had the total opposite. I had a big party and I invited everyone in the city. I had a dj, a location, flyers, the whole nine yards. It was a great party and we had a lot of fun but the only person from that party that I’m still friends with is my best friend. I believe if my sister and I would have took a similar approach that wasn’t authentic to who we are, we would’ve been surrounded by fluff. We would’ve spent more money than needed, had a grand party just for social media, and been totally unfulfilled.
Unfulfilled. That’s exactly how glitter leaves us….
2020 has been a time of learning what’s really important. The valuable things. Quarantine has stripped a lot of useless things from our lives. Having quality relationships, no strife and the good ole “life, health, and strength” has been essential.
Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” -Exodus 32:1
When Moses came down from talking to the living God on a mountain he saw the children of Israel worshiping man made idols. Instead of the God who brought them out of Egypt they chose to now “serve” a god that their hands made. They traded in the truth for a lie. When we settle for glitter and don’t pursue gold, we do the same thing. We put aside what can be real, what can be authentic, what is God, for something our own hands have made.
We might want jobs only for the money/titles but that have nothing to do with where God wants us to be. So now we’re well paid and working, but completely out of passion for the things you desire to do. Networking might be of higher concern than building real relationships. Playing church might be of more importance to you than being the church. Not being confrontational to maintain a relationship could be hurting you more than helping. Whatever it is, it’s going to be revealed in the long run.
These are some things this year has taught me in regards to maintaining what’s Gold:
Stoop to Conquer
Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 3:34
Sometimes conflict happens, which at times also bring offense. What I am continuingly learning is to address it. If that means to apologize, apologize. If that means to repent, repent. If you need to have tough conversations, have them. Getting off the high horse of pride to do those things actually bring God glory in the end. Especially during a time where tensions are high and online debates are a daily thing. Reconciliation is worship! It’s good, and marvelous in His eyes.
Clean The Inside of The Cup
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew 23:25-26
In a time where we had basically half of the year indoors and room to focus on ourselves, I believe we all saw some things within that we could work on. It gave us time to stop and actually look at what we hide. Or in other words, “put a little glitter on”. Our worldly desires, our ambitions that are toxic, the need to heal, the way we see ourselves, etc. God doesn’t look at the outer parts like people do. He works from the inside out. Gold is dealing with the inside.
It’s Not Worth It
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36
You don’t want to look back and see how much value you missed out on. Things that could’ve been avoided if we would genuinely take a look at what’s important. What’s flashy or seems popular now, could be detrimental later. We really have to pray that we’ll have eyes to see it. The quality of our relationships, callings, and everything else is impacted by the way maintain the virtues of it.
Remember, whenever you’re tempted to settle for less than the real thing:
Everything that glitters isn’t gold
Be Blessed,
Jess