"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
Matthew 13:45-46
Gemstones must be cut and polished to bring out their beauty. But pearls don’t need any treatment to reveal their loveliness. They are born from oysters complete.
A natural pearl begins its life as a foreign object, such as sand or a piece of shell, that gets lodged into an oyster's soft inner body where it cannot get out. To protect itself, the oyster begins to cover the irritant, layer upon layer, with a smooth, hard crystalline substance, called “nacre,” as long as the irritant remains within its body.
The result, ultimately, is the beautiful gem called a pearl. You are one of God’s wondrous, priceless pearls. God sees your hardships and the powerful layers of protection around you. He wants you to emerge from your shell as you are and live the beautiful life He created you to live.
Regarding the Parable of the Pearl above, some say Jesus is the fine pearl and once we find him we are willing to sell everything to be with him. Some say we are the pearls and Jesus is the merchant who gave all he had for us. Either way, the truth is that:
What God Says About You
You are Loved
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. - Isaiah 54:10
You are Valued
She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. - Proverbs 31:10
You are Purposed
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands. - Psalm 138:8
You are Redeemed
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, (s)he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Who God Is
He is Faithful
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. - Deuteronomy 7:9
He is Gracious
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
He is Mighty
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. - Psalm 46:1-3
He is Caring
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed. - Psalms 34:18
He is Comforting
As a mother comforts her child, so I’ll comfort you. - Isaiah 66:13
He is Near
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. - Psalm 145:18