One Grain of Sand

One grain of sand. It’s such a miniscule thing. But when it’s in my eye, it certainly doesn’t feel small. A grain of sand in the eye can cause immediate pain and make it difficult to see, not to mention making it nearly impossible to focus on anything other than finding a fix for this. Have you ever had the misfortune of getting even the tiniest speck of sand in your eye? If you have, then you know what I mean.     

One grain of sand. It’s such a microscopic element. But when it’s in my shoe, it doesn’t feel tiny. I do a lot of walking, so anything in my shoe that doesn’t belong is a huge annoyance. After a day at the beach, I always make sure to wash off my feet before putting on sneakers. I try to be thorough, but it doesn’t always work out that way, and sometimes particles of sand will be left behind. This doesn’t immediately irritate me, but by the end of a power walk, you can bet that my feet hurt, and I’m struggling to keep a good pace going due to the ever-growing blister or two from where that one grain of sand crept in.

One grain of sand in an oyster is enough to start a very beautiful process, though. The sand is actually an irritant for the oyster. However, from the moment it enters the shell, the oyster’s defense mechanisms kick in, and it starts churning out a substance meant to reduce the discomfort of the sand. Over time, and by time, I mean months or even years, this turns into what we know as a pearl.

So, what does all of this have to do with faith? Like the one grain of sand in my eye, in my shoe, and even in the oyster, these irritants can feel immense, while really being quite small. The challenging things that inconvenience us, make us angry, or disrupt our plans can cause us to have skewed spiritual vision and hinder our walk with the Lord, or they can be an agent of transformation for our souls.   

Romans 5:3-5 reminds us of this very thing:

Just like the pearl, which can take months to years to form, God can use one grain of sand to bring about a transformed heart. One grain of sand may not seem like much at the time, but it has the capability of becoming something of great value. What was once very annoying and irritating becomes a treasured gift from God. So, whenever you feel that one grain of sand—whether it be a small irritation or a tremendous trial—remember that God is creating pearls of hope in your heart!

God can use one grain of sand to bring about a transformed heart.

Think About It

What are some irritants in your life that God is using to transform you?

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In this blog, I hope you'll join me on my quiet adventures—simple walks and conversations with God, away from the hustle and bustle.

In the meantime, don't forget to check out Liz Trickey's blog, "God of My Depths," and Pearlene Richardson's blog, "Measurable Growth," for more insight into how nature reveals God's character in and to us.