A friend of mine once said that if we have grown too comfortable in a situation then perhaps it's time to make a change. What a pearl of wisdom!
Whenever a grain of sand or some other small irritant gets caught inside an oyster shell, it's not unlike getting a splinter. To counteract the irritation, the oyster's body secretes a substance called nacre which covers the irritant with a thin layer of material and hardens. Over time, additional layers of nacre are secreted over the irritant and the end result is a pearl.
In a similar way, God may use an uncomfortable situation to cultivate our spiritual growth and maturity. He may even use it to lead us on a different path altogether. It could be argued that there was enough discomfort in each of the disciples' lives that they felt compelled to heed Jesus' call, "Follow me."
Paul spoke of a "thorn in his flesh," Although we don't know what that thorn was, we do know that it contributed to Paul's spiritual maturity; he stated that it kept him from being too conceited. In other words, it made him lean on God more.
Our English word "pearl" comes from the Sanskrit word for "pure." A fine pearl is a valuable treasure that only God could create and perfect.
You may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation right now. Perhaps you feel you are being pushed out of a situation, or pulled into another one, or both. Meditate on it and listen to God, for He wants to create a pearl in you!
Read: Romans 5:3-5, 2nd Corinthians 12:7b-10, Matthew 13:45-46
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