IDareToHope

Sometimes I dig.

Much of the seaglass I find is sitting on top the sand, or mixed in amongst small pebbles, but it’s fairly apparent to the average passerby, if you’re within ~4 feet of it.

But sometimes I come across a lovely pebble heap or stretch of small rocks. They’ve been pushed up onto each other, and the small sand has washed away,leaving many layers of smooth pebbles and sometimes seaglass. When I come upon these… sometimes I like to dig with my shoes. I push top layers out of the way, searching for spots of color. In a 5ft stretch the other day I found probably more than 15pieces, whereas sometimes I’m lucky to find 5 atop the sand in the same amount of steps.

The coveted cobalt blue colored glass!

Today I dug through layers of pebbles and found several pieces of seaglass. Despite already holding onto a good handful of glass, I searched for the hard-to-find pieces that no one else had gone after.

God is like that, in seeking out our hearts.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

“Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’

Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.

“Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’

Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”

Luke 15:4-‬10 MSG

Father God, give us eyes to see the lost ones, and the heart to love them into your kingdom.

Let us dig deep, that we may see past the masks, grit and grime of life, and burdens that others carry, and let us view them as you do: sparkling jewels that were created to shine your glory through, if only they are washed clean.