by Rachael Colby  @RachaelColby7 

Natural diamonds take years to form. Carbon encapsulated deep within the mantle of the earth is subjected to intense pressure, heat, and cold, to create something of greater value than its original state. It takes much time and process to form excellent character too. Likewise, a skilled writer.

Elements introduced in the process of a diamond’s formation affect its color and clarity as does the temperature of its environment. So too, winters of the soul and the fires of trials either color or cloud our lives and thus our work.

According to my gemologist friend, the whitest diamonds are found in greatest abundance in Russian mines due to the extreme cold of the earth’s surface there. Sometimes when doubt shrouds, words evade, I feel cold and God seems distant, the temptation to quit beckons. But I cannot afford to allow the enemy or my emotions to lead, nor let my lack distract me. Rather, I cling to faith in God and trust His Word and will to govern.

I fulfill my call to write by doing the work I know to do: Lay one word on the page, and then another and another. Sometimes power and discovery come in the going. God meets us when we draw near to Him and carry on in obedience. He uses what we possess and equips with the rest as He sees fit.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9 NKJV)

“God, why is this so hard?”

“How else will you be able to minister to others if I don’t take you through here?”

Miners chisel diamonds formed in cold climates from the rock in which they are embedded. Some diamonds formed in hotter climates such as in Africa are unearthed by sifting the sand and rubble they’re buried in. Life’s pressures push to the surface and bring to light what lies hidden within a heart.

When we invite Jesus into our inadequacies and inabilities, He empowers us to overcome. The pressure of struggles provide opportunity for growth, to enrich our lives, inspire our writing, and enable us to empathize and encourage others on their journey.

The pressure of deadlines helps propel me out of procrastination and the deep prison of perfectionism. (Right after I bathe the dog at 10 o’clock at night, of course, which results in me needing a shower, and then may as well throw in a load of laundry, right? — Procrastination once dislocated my shoulder. Oh, the perils of no deadline.)

Like Kimberlite, the volcanic rock, which transports diamonds from deep within the earth to the surface, everything that fires our inspiration will not stay. The goal: get words on the page. Then the mining, cutting, and polishing begins.

It took over two years to cut and polish the Centenary Diamond. The skilled diamond cutter reveals the brilliance of the gem. The better the cut, the brighter the diamond. We too must go through time and process for God to craft us into who He created us to be. We are His treasure.

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 NKJV)

If we want our work to sparkle, and our life to be the real deal and reflect the brilliant light of Christ we must yield our work to the editor’s cut and our heart to the Master’s cut.

For me, writing flows from deep within the heart and soul, it springs from time spent with God. I cannot write without Him.

With God, the priority is always presence over performance, intimacy over independence…I realize that if I can accomplish something purely in my own strength, those dreams are way too small. — Allen Arnold, The Story of With

God calls us to mine the depths of His Word for the truth that transforms within. I want to be polished and perfected, faceted into God’s perfect plan. He makes much out of little when we give ourselves, our work, to Him.

Jamaican born award-winning writer Rachael M. Colby resides in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Wife, mom, beach bum, artist, work in progress, Rachael writes to connect culture’s questions with Christianity’s answers, inspire faith, and motivate through articles, devotions, poetry, and interviews. She has a heart for reconciliation and to uplift those who serve in tough places.

Her work has appeared on Southern Ohio Christian Voice, Inkspirations Online, Christian Devotions, in the compilationsCreative Writing Journal: Faith Inspired Writing Prompts & Hope-Filled Poetry, The Courage to Write: 62 devotions to Encourage your Writing Journey, Defining Moments: Memorable and Inspiring Stories from Outstanding Leaders, and inthe Oak Ridger newspaper.

You can connect with Rachael on her website, TattooItOnYourHeart.com and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Rachael runs on copious amounts of coffee and chocolate and a whole lot of “Help me, Jesus.”

Twitter Handle: @RachaelColby7 https://twitter.com/RachaelColby7

Website: TattooItOnYourHeart.com https://tattooitonyourheart.com/

Facebook: Rachael M Colby https://www.facebook.com/rachael.colby.92/

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