The Great Pearl Hunt

"Lord To Give Up I'd Be A Fool"

This morning, i attended sunday school for the gr 1s and 2s because my friend invited me to help her teach one of the sessions, and we wanted to take a look-see of what we're up for. It was pretty cool, i love being around kids, especially the ones in gr 1 and 2, they were my day camp kids from last summer.

Im actually REALLY looking forward to summer. Im so happy that June 1st has finally hit and that we're inching closer and closer day by day to exams... and FREEDOM. Jam packed summer, all for God, all for the kids. From the Quebec missions trip in July, to day camp, end of July, Overnight camp with the older 5s and 6s in August, what more can i ask for. I cant wait to be free and enjoy life and not care about work.

Anyways, so today in the session, we were worshiping, and the song "All in All" came up. This song appeared and wow it was hard-hitting, right at home, in the heart, a stab of awakening, and a slap in the face of reminder.

"Im seeking you as a precious jewel"

"Lord to give up i'd be a fool"

Everyone is CONSTANTLY facing struggles and obstacles in life. Some simple, short, quick, done, and others life-long, lasting, and constantly haunting. As Christians, our life is to serve and glorify God. We have to build our relationship with Him. Thats what Christianity is, the development of our relationship with Christ. Just as it says in the song, we have to seek Christ like a precious jewel. Today during DOXA, our youth service for 9s to 12s, (wow im just realizing all the links) we talked about sacrifice, and the passage was Matthew 13;

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. - Matthew 13:44-46

There's a difference between the two that isnt very evident, but there. The first one, says that God and his kingdom is like a Treasure. When we find it, we discover the true permanent joy we receive and gain from it, to then sacrifice all we have for it.

Whereas in the second one, Christ is a merchant, and it turns out, HE'S LOOKING FOR US! And when he's found us, he gives up everything for us. To be exact, he gives up his LIFE for us.

Both Christ and Ourselves are seeking each other as jewels, as pearls, as treasures, and we have to continue to do so and build this relationship.

Now here comes the second part, we are constantly and still seeking. Think of it as a scavenger hunt. There are many jewels out there, all making up one, Christ. We have found some, but we're looking for me. But when looking for it, we face obstacles, may it be the tall grass, unknown animals and predators waiting to prance, or weather itself. We encounter these obstacles that hinder us from finding these jewels. Besides, who said that this scavenger hunt would be easy, just a desert with all the jewels in a pile. Ha think again. This jewel that gives everlasting love and joy, we want to keep looking for it. If we were to give up, we're fools. Who gives up on something so great, so majestic, so impossible to find in the world we live in today.

Just as you and I both face, struggles. We cant give up. We'd be fools to give into sin, in Satan's lure and traps to fall away from this magnificent pearl. Dont give up. Im sure there are many many times where we just wanna stop. Give up. End it. Thinking there's no point. But,

dont give up.

dont give up because i wont give up.

and i wont give up because you wont give up.

verse of the day: Romans 5:3-4

• ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.