Testimony of a Living Stone

Not as deep as the far recesses, yet on the outskirts of the light, there was substance. An independent existence, held captive in the darkness; its home from birth. This place was known to many as a quarry and the substance within it, each stone, was known as the quarry of the evil one.

Each stone had its hope for the future and this one was no different. It held hopes and dreams to be the chosen piece, destined for some great artistic work and at times, the spotlight of artificial light would shine and brief happiness would reign. But with swiftness, the darkness would return and the stone, each time, would suffer the weathering effects of disillusionment.

Through the ages, it would catch sight of a warm, radiant light that seemed so distant, yet so close, and the stone yearned to draw closer. Again and again, the stone would attempt to free itself, but it had not yet obtained the tools designed to accomplish the task. Unbeknown to the stone, before it had knowledge of time, the plans had already been laid for its excavation. The miner's process of channeling and wedging had long since begun. With each long furrow placed by the channeling process, the miner sent comfort and words of love and it was to a new dream that the stone began to hold.

The miner knew each stone well and chose his tools accordingly. With the last painful wedge placed, the miner carefully guided the split, and tenderly lifted the battered stone from it's prison of darkness. Placing it gently into the hands of his apprentice, he let out a shout of celebration for another lost gem retrieved.

With a love taught by the miner, the apprentice assured the stone of its worth and introduced it to the miner; He who is worthy, the only savior.

Full of excitement and wonder and feeling the joy of release, the stone entrusted itself to the care of the apprentice. With the apprentice's vow to cherish the stone and the miner's promise to never leave, the stone experienced life anew and all that was before... never was.

Salvation attained, the stone lay jagged and rough in the apprentice's care. It was sharp to the touch and trembled at the approach of man's steps. Though a battle raged, distrust as yet won over intimacy, veiled walls over transparency. The grace of the miner flowed and of his abundance he meted a portion to the apprentice. With the washing of patience, new life began.

The encrusted sediments layered by the past were shed with each tear, the painful cleansing process necessary to facilitate healing. The miner, feeling the pain of what is his, ordered the prescription of love and acceptance, and with appointment, he saw it administered. Laborers he chose and laborers he sent, the balm from the mountain applied. For only he knows the value of his gems and what impurities yet lie beneath their surfaces. There is only one who can restore the polish of lapis lazuli.

In awe, the stone considered the work of the miner's hands and in him it found stability. Fears of abandonment and rejection now lie sleeping, but its cumbersome protrusions and unwieldy projections displayed the impurities the miner sought to remove.

The file of correction placed its sting first. The stone labeled it "criticism," and its effect threatened to awaken the sleeping fears. It's work seemed intense and it's fire intermittently raged, but the miner saw to it that the heat was tempered with the cool, soothing water of love and assurance. As he planned, the cracks of separation appeared in the first protrusion, and at it's foundation it began to crumble.

In purposed sequence, the tools of refinement were set to the stone. The abrasive of situations; its short term struggles and overwhelming incidents, the grating implement of needs; in health and in provision, and the loud, rasping of a clash of opinions and wills. A diverse array of tools wielded by many hands. Each allowed by the miner in his wisdom, to ignite the fires of refinement. For it is by fire that the impurities are revealed and the fire itself will test the quality of each work. The process is not often short, and many times, the fire must be relit by the hands of another. But the process is true and his results without compromise.

To this promise the stone held fast, for though the cracks were many and the protrusions rendered weak, they would not fall. The protrusion built from worthlessness had survived and refused to release it's hold on that facet called purpose. Without the light of purpose exposed, the stone would struggle to continue it's transformation.

In its agony, the stone cried out for the miner, beseeching him to lift the darkness from it. In sincerity, its pleas persisted until it came to rest upon the heart of Him. In answer, the miner removed the mask of deception and placed the key to knowledge within reach. The warmth of its presence drew the stone and gifts were bestowed upon it. It was of Himself the miner had given. The formula of identity was poured out upon worthlessness. The key to its destruction had lay in knowledge all along.

With the smoking remains of worthlessness lying broken and powerless, purpose was released and a desire for destiny was born. In this, the power which had fed the remaining protrusions was broken and they began to fall. The stumps of past battles stood as tombstones amid the wreckage, their demise now also foreseen.

It is the metamorphic rock that produces gems when changed by heat and pressure and so did the shadow of a gem appear here.

The fires of refinement would again be lit. For precision, they would burn closer to home. It is the plan of the miner for the key of knowledge to be continually turned and it's revelation invited in. The application of each testing fire He purposed to forever seal the power of knowledge within each stone.

It is here the smoothing process began and continues to this day. It is the transparent gem the miner seeks and transparency is hereby summoned. With each facet that is cut, yet another angle reflects the light of His essence. Each cut taking away more of the stone and displaying more of the glory of it's creator. To specification must each facet be shaped, for its placement has already been ordered. Fitting one with another without crack or blemish. Each as a living stone, choice and precious. Being built as one body into the house of the miner reflecting continually the things that please Him.

Of all the precious gems, only the diamond is pure; made of a single element, formed under great pressure and heat. While usually a small thing, it has a large value.

This is what the Miner envisions for each of His precious gems, His living stones. That they be pure, of a single element... reflecting the essence of Him.

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Contributed by K.L. Ragin
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