Imperfectly Perfect!
By Susan Klein
“…but when perfection comes, the imperfect
disappears.”
1
Corinthians 13:10 (NIV)
Waiting for the jeweler to replace my watch battery, I browsed
the jewelry cases. Nothing really remarkable caught my eye in this tiny shop
tucked almost unnoticeably in a back corner of a strip mall. That is, until I
approached the discount case. This was where the less-desirable or imperfect
pieces found their last chance to go home as someone’s possession. That’s where
I saw them.
As the jeweler approached, taking notice of where my gaze was
focused, he began to educate me about the “Keshi pearls.” Unlike natural or
even cultured pearls, Keshi pearls are often considered “mistakes,” or
“rejects.” In typical pearl formation, when an irritant or small piece of
debris is introduced into an oyster’s shell, it produces a substance called
“nacre,” which surrounds the irritant, making it the “nucleus.” Many layers of
nacre eventually cover the nucleus forming the pearl. Occasionally, the oyster
will reject or expel the irritant, but produces nacre anyway. When the nacre
has no nucleus to cover, it forms very oddly shaped pearls. (1)
No two Keshi pearls are identical, making it impossible to
create a set of matching jewelry. Thus, they are less desirable than their
spherical counterparts. While considered “imperfect,” Keshi are really quite
rare and have a beautiful lustrous sheen to them. Some jewelers desire their
acquisition to create very unique and unusual pieces of jewelry.
As I admired the imperfect pearls in the case, I couldn’t help
but see a beautiful analogy coming to light. Like Keshi pearls, every single
one of us is imperfect. We may even be labeled “mistakes,” or “rejects” by
some. Yet, as our divine and purposeful Creator is working through His Holy
Spirit to rid the sin and junk from our lives, He continues to produce a
lustrous nacre to our characters. The longer the Keshi remain in the oysters,
the larger and more brilliant they become. Similarly, the more we abide in the
Lord’s perfect will, allowing His sanctifying work to take place in our lives,
the more we will shine for His glory.
Like the Keshi, no two human are exactly alike. And just as some
jewelers desire their idiosyncratic qualities to create rare pieces, so God
desires to use our imperfections, as well as our uniqueness, for His sovereign
purposes.
In case you were wondering…the Keshi no longer reside in the
discount case. They belong to someone who will forever appreciate their
uniqueness.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What “imperfections” might God be using in your life for His
creative purposes?
2. Do you see yourself as the rare gem that you are?
FURTHER READING:
Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an
in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of
Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.
