Thursday, June 3, 2010

Priceless Before Refinement

They say diamonds are forever, but where on earth did this cliché even come from? After some research I've realized that it's only forever because of what it represents after refinement. It is because of this same notion that we view our value the way we do as humans in a materialistic world and the very same reason why we strive to be who we are not.

Recently the trials of life left me in a state of questioning and in this moment I asked myself: is the gem in the rubble the same gem in the jeweler's hand after it is refined? Does this gem have the same worth in both situations? How do we give things value and is our form of price tagging efficient; is our way of price tagging correct?

Initially, before the drama I recently got myself so deep into had happened I was swayed to believe that it was only when the “jeweler” took that material and placed it into the fire, shined cleaned and worked on the material, that the diamond became a diamond. I was made to believe that while in the dirt and the mess the diamond was nothing but a valueless piece of rock.

Furthermore, it is only when the rock is taken, it’s environment changes and now in the glass of the jeweler’s diamond display after refinement, it’s price is attached. Consequently, only when a purpose of worth comes along and we are used as ends in ourselves and not means to an end, we become valuable. Finally, the only conclusion that one can come to if these premises are correct is: the diamond is a diamond only because it is used for a specific purpose and given value by a specific person.

However if we apply this to finding our worth or value as people, although we tend to be accepting of this way in which diamond acquire their value, in this materialistic world that we live in, it is evident that this may not be efficient, correct or healthy.

We are made for a purpose and it is not when we go through fire that we gain our worth. That rock only changes in appearance but the value, intrinsic value NEVER changes. When we live our lives and give ourselves worth based on someone else’s way of measuring beauty or character we are fueling materialism and guided by our world’s criteria of what "beauty" is.

Instead, knowing your worth doesn’t mean knowing what someone says you’re worth. The jeweler does not give the rock it’s value, your parents loved ones or friends do not give you your worth. Furthermore, overcoming life’s battles and learning does not give you your value, nor does your change of environment or crowd—the fire does not change your inherent pricelessness. Instead, it shows you how much work you need to go through in finding your purpose-- it's part of a process to find purpose not one that gives value.

Knowing your worth comes only when you know who you are, why God has placed you here and you strive to do that which he has set out for you to do. The fires and refinement is only symbols of nearing perfection and that in itself does not mean you’re any better in value than you were before. You were never a means to an end; you were always an end, you were never a bridge towards a goal, you were always THE goal.

Ladies, and my few gentlemen readers, hear me out today! You are your purpose and this is essentially what has made you priceless, not what family you were born into and where you can potentially reach in life. Was the man in the manger (the place where animals feed) any less than the man on the cross? Did his worth ever change depending on his age or what he went through?

Furthermore, the fact that God made you, no matter if you are copper, stone, glass, rock, crystal or diamond; you are here for a purpose. Now I implore you to live and learn and find YOU bearing in mind that you are here for a reason, and you being here is what makes you PRICELESS!

Speak the truth and accept the truth in love.