Photo by Anastassia Anufrieva on Unsplash
A Pearl of great price
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“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” —Matthew 13:45–46
My readers have learned by now that I’m not a dog owner. My friends and family have tried over the years to convince me of all that I am missing. So far, I remain staunchly unconvinced. I know very few people who pursue and value quiet and stillness as much as I do. I’ve been that way my whole life, so I don’t think it will change. I’m sitting on my patio right now, enjoying the serenity of these moments to write. I don’t need a dog’s head on my feet or a dog’s bark in my ears. I’m enjoying the solitude.
There have been a few dogs over the years, like a white lab named Pearl, that I have imagined I could enjoy. Jim and I see Pearl and her owner quite often while we are out walking on the trail. Pearl’s favorite moment of the week is when her owner takes her to the pond, and she is free to jump in the water and chase her toy. Other days, she just walks next to the pond with wishful eyes.
It struck me today that all of us could learn a lot from Pearl’s God-given instincts. Jesus told a parable often titled “Parable of the Pearl of Great Price.“ The lesson of that parable teaches that a wise person is the one who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it”
(Matthew 13:46).
Watching Pearl is like watching a lesson in growing old gracefully with God’s wisdom. God has given animals instincts that those of us created with the ability to choose could learn from. Pearl no longer chases everything she used to chase. She has learned to ignore most squirrels; she waits at the street corners; and she rarely tugs on her master’s arm. Pearl has defined her “pearl of great price” as life at the feet of her master.
We can ignore the squirrels, too
Ecclesiastes 1:14 is pure wisdom. Solomon said, “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.” Solomon had it all according to the world’s values. He is thought by many to have been the wealthiest man ever to have lived. (Although Elon Musk seems to be pursuing that title now!) As an older, wiser man, Solomon understood that chasing the temporary stuff of this world was like chasing the wind, or a squirrel.
Pearl used to love chasing squirrels, and when she was young, she actually caught one or two. Her youthful instincts used to tell her to chase every squirrel she saw. Now, she is older and wiser and understands she doesn’t really want the squirrel anyway.
What were the things you used to chase in your younger years? One of the great lessons for growing older is the realization that the squirrels in our lives have become less enticing. The temporary, earthly stuff we used to chase tends to lose its appeal. What are the possessions, titles, priorities, awards, and even relationships that just seem to be chasing the wind?
God wants us to lay the squirrels in life at his feet. We will be much more peaceful and content with our lives when we are finished with those chases.
Stop at the streets
There is one corner where the trail crosses the road, which is often the spot we run across Pearl and her owner. We usually enjoy a brief conversation and later walk away grateful that God allowed us to become friends. Pearl would rather be continuing her walk, but she quietly sits and waits for her master to finish the conversation.
I’ve never seen Pearl tug on the leash or try to cross the street without her owner. She has been kept safe; she has been well loved and well fed. Pearl wants to be at her owner’s feet because that is where she is most content. The psalmist wrote, “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long” (Psalm 25:4–5).
I love to picture God holding a retractable leash (a leash with a button that controls the length of the leash). God can give us more room to wander and explore, but when we are not safe, he can push the button that gives us less leash and draw us back to be closer to him. God’s ways are perfect, and when he wants to talk, he will bring us near him. The only mistake we can make is to pull or tug on that leash because we want a different direction. God is strong, but his leash allows for our free wills as well. If we keep trying to run into the street, one day we might end up there. The psalmist told God, “For you I wait all the day long.” Are we willing to do the same?
When God wants to talk, we should be quietly patient until he finishes the conversation. It helps to remember that we can be content, safe, and loved at his feet. The stop signs of life are simply to protect us from the rush of this world.
When do you chase and tug on the leash? When are you quietly content?
God’s perfection is not ours yet. Pearl’s owner still uses a leash most of the time. She knows that Pearl is a wonderful dog, but she also knows she is still a dog. And now, you probably know what I’m about to say. Yep, we are all still dogs on this side of heaven. Our instincts have not been completely perfected yet, and this world will never be a perfect place. On the other hand, if we have lived our lives with God’s teaching, God’s love, and God’s direction, we have learned a LOT during our walks.
Pearl is a great dog, but we pass a lot of dogs on the trail who aren’t! I saw one young woman who practically fell into the street trying to hang on to her pet! We pass other dogs each day who still, three years later, bark at us like we are their enemy. There are also three Dobermans who are allowed to run freely in an area next to the path. Those dogs used to make me nervous because they are fast and chase everything they see. Yet, when the master calls, they come instantly to sit obediently at his feet. I’ve learned a lot watching them as well.
I’m a huge fan of Pearl. I didn’t know her as a puppy, but she has grown into a beautiful, peace-filled Labrador who is loved by her owner and knows how to love in return. I enjoy watching those Dobermans, but I want to be more like Pearl.
God has provided us with many lessons to learn throughout our lives. Pearl has taught me a lot about sitting quietly at the feet of the One who loves me most. I want to praise God for the leash he provides for my safety until I reach heaven. We know there are a LOT of squirrels here on earth!
I like to imagine what it will be like to run free in heaven, joyfully chasing the perfection around us. I like to imagine the voice of God calling me to sit at his feet. Until those eternal moments, I will work to wait patiently at the feet of God, submitted to the leash of his guidance.
I still don’t want to own a dog, but I realize that I have a lot to learn from the dogs around me. I want to remember there is a “Pearl” of great price to value and obtain!
Lord, help us to submit to your leash and enjoy the fact that at the end of our walk, it is you who will bring us safely home.
