The kingdom of heaven is like this. A man is looking for fine pearls, and when he finds one that is unusually fine, he goes and sells everything he has, and then goes back and buys that pearl. Matt 13:44
I wonder if you know someone like this? Someone who has a particular obsession or passion: who spends a great deal of their time and energy in pursuing something? Perhaps they are a football supporter or a collector, a music fan or workaholic. Maybe you have something which makes you feel alive to which you give your time and energy?
I was struck recently by the commitment and passion of the friends of young Kasseam Chatterie. Kasseam was 21 when he died from Ewings Sarcoma, the most common form of cancer in teenagers. His friends had been there for him throughout his illness: caring for him and spending time hanging out with him. At his funeral they followed his hearse along Brewsters Road and wore specially printed T-shirts and caps bearing his pictures or name. At the end, they filled his grave, laying him to rest and honouring him with their hard work and determination in the pouring rain. They reminded me of this pearl hunter: faithful, focussed and loyal to who (what) they treasure and value.
Pete Rollins, a leading thinker in the emerging believing communities (church) in the UK and US, poses this question. ‘Where do we find the truth about ourselves?’ Is it in our inner life and personality? Do we really know someone when we know about their private life, as the media would have us believe? Neither, he suggests. Rather the truth of us, who we truly are, is seen in what we do.
The truth of the pearl hunter is a passion for beauty, and persistence. Kasseam’s friends are loyal and there for each other. So , what might we (and others ) say is the truth of you and I? Where do we put our energy?
Jesus places a high value on curiosity. He rewards the lengths to which Zaccheus goes (risking being seen, climbing the tree) by going to his home & accepting his hospitality, and Zaccheus is a changed man. He taught using parables: stories which were not obvious , inviting the hearer to find out more, think more deeply, ask more questions, to seek. ‘Seek, and you will find.’
As we begin a new term and return to our routines, September is a chance to put some energy into who we really are: to seek to go a bit deeper; to put some effort into finding answers to our questions, and to let go of things that aren’t really consistent with who we really are, so that we can ’buy the pearl’ and take hold of what matters. Each of us is different and only you know what the ’pearl’ is at this moment in your life.
As you do so, you might find it helpful to make use of the different opportunities we have (overleaf and on the church notice board) to deepen your engaging with God and His world. Training, finding out about work with the marginalised in the city, diocesan conference, cell groups, learning new ways of praise, exploring baptism, a day about Prayer and the Holy Spirit…..
I hope these will help you to find the pearl of who you are in God’s world and the treasure that is the love of His Son, Jesus.
Karen
