Ornament (Photo credit: Thom Watson)

A man held a fragile glass ornament in his hands.  The glow from it filled the man and prompted him, beyond his own ability, to proclaim all its beauty.  As the man walked through the market place he was witnessed by all for his words spoke of a beauty beyond the people’s perception.  The way he spoke roused their hearts.  And many were desirous to own what he spoke of.  Soon some of the people had found a similar orb of fragile glass.  And they too spoke of the beauties it provoked them to witness.

Then one of the people approached the first man and said to him, “Give me that ornament.”  “I cannot give it to you” said the owner.  “Then I will rip it from your hands!  For I perceive that it is to be desired.”  At that the man took the ornament from the owner and held it in his own hands.

His eyes grew wide.  His face became as one who had tasted an entire handful of dill.  His body convulsed at the impact from the orb.  And quickly he gave it back to the owner.  “This is a LIE!”  He said with lungs full of the air he had sucked at his convulsion.   “This man speaks lies!”  He began to turn to the people to proclaim what he perceived to be the truth.  But out of the corner of his eye he witnessed the reaction of the man as he took back what was his.

A glow of warm peace enveloped him.  A beaming smile of love covered that man’s face.  And he began again to speak softly of the loving embrace he had from ownership of this ornament.  This stopped the greedy man.  He turned once again to the owner.  And with a slightly different voice said, “Give me that orb.”

At the second and softer request, the owner gave the orb willingly.  The greedy man took it once again.  This time there was a distaste upon the greedy man.  But it was less intense.  For he understood that he had not understood.  And now he was willing to endure what came.  If only he might also have what the owner possessed.

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He has granted sin to flourish in this Place of Testing.  By His wisdom He has created this place to test His own power to heal.  His Glory abounds among the men of sin.  And Healing is in His hand.  By jealousy He has caused many to fall before Him and confess.  By pride of man He has transformed many to be His children.

How great is the wisdom of He who lives forever!  That He should create this among us.  And how beautiful, beauty beyond words, is the Living God in Christ Jesus His Holy Son!  That we who have tasted that He is good, should be used to entice the greedy by their very greedy ways.  All praise to He who Heals eternally.  He has done this!  And it will be our lot to praise Him for His Beauty forever!

Amen!