EXTRACTING THE PRECIOUS FROM THE WORTHLESS

Recently, while organizing the drawers of a desk, I suddenly found a beautiful collection of silver coins that had been given to me several years ago.  My heart almost stopped when I saw that it was there, in that drawer, mixed with papers and other unimportant things. "It could have easily been lost," I thought.   I then began to separate the valuable from the ordinary carefully.  I remembered at that moment a verse that uses almost those same words:

"…  if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My mouthpiece.” Jeremiah 15:19 LSB

God spoke those words to the prophet Jeremiah, encouraging him to put aside the worthless and ordinary and focus on what is truly valuable in order to be his instrument.

To sanctify himself, so that he could be an influence on his generation.

We would also do well to separate what is precious from what is not in our lives. Having our minds overloaded and living swamped in activities, with no margin in our agendas, is not wise.  This is something that has taken me a long time to learn.  As I clear my schedule, my soul becomes quieter, and my perspective adjusts.  I realize then that less is more. 

Perhaps one way to identify what is worth retaining within us and what is not, is to put it through the “sieve” of what God says.  A couple of examples:

Popular beliefs	What God says
Success defines us, if we have abundance, we have reached the goal.	“…because a man’s life is not measured by how many possessions he has.” Luke 12:15
Rest is not important. Efficiency requires that we work as much as we have to.	“One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind”. Ecclesiastes 4:6
Anxiety is inevitable, it is part of our modern world. Peace is unattainable.	“Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.  And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.”.  Philippians 4:6-7

Perhaps once we know what is truly valuable, it will not be so hard for us to let go of what is not worth our time. That way we can love better those around us and can be better instruments for God.

Every minute that passes is a grain that falls into the great hourglass of life. The way we invest our time shapes our destiny. 

Let us get rid of worry, so that trust in God may grow.

Let's let go of fear, so that peace may increase.

Let us forgive, so that hate can go away, and love can flourish.

Let's remove the doubt, so that faith can increase.

Let us quiet our minds, so that we can hear the voice of God.

Lord, open our eyes so we can discern between the precious and the worthless.  Help us to find and follow our purpose. Reveal to us how priceless time is and teach us to live wisely. Deliver us from the excessive busyness that is asphyxiating our faith. Don't allow us to be confused by the mirage of material things.  Teach us the incalculable value of living simply.

© Astrid Gale

Please, leave us your comment at the end of the page.