Digging Diamonds: No Regrets!

Surface Searching at Crater of Diamonds - March 24, 2017

Yesterday my family visited the Crater of  Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Dozens of families and hopeful individuals paid an entrance fee to search for diamonds in the plowed field of the world's 8th largest diamond-bearing volcanic crater. My own family spent at least three hours surface searching and wet mining, and eleven hours driving (round trip) in order to be able to do so. It was an exciting experience, knowing that there was a possibility (though slim) that we might be able to find a treasure in this field. At the very least, we were in the right area, a location proven to be full of one of the world's rarest jewels, and they were free for the taking if one only found the right place to look and examined the soil closely enough!

We sifted through piles of dirt inspecting each handful more closely than one might search for a needle in a hay stack.  But in the end, we walked away with only a small piece of jasper and a greenish piece of volcanic tuff - no diamonds, except the one I walked in with on my wedding band. Although this was to be expected, it was still a little disappointing. I mean, we'd come all this way, found a promising location, searched as diligently as possible, and still, we walked away not with treasure, but actually $40 poorer after paying the entrance and rental fees.

Now, I'm not complaining; truly, this was a great adventure to go on with my family.  I'm just setting the stage to share a couple of spiritual insights. As I crouched in that field yesterday, running my hands over the soil, inspecting every sparkle to determine whether it was a diamond or simply a speck of mica, I thought of Matthew 13:44 where Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a treasure hidden in a field.  He tells of a man finding that treasure, selling everything else, and then purchasing the field so the treasure could be his.

The first insight is this: Don't give up more than you are willing to lose just because something seems promising. Most of those people at the crater were probably just like my own family, willing to pay a price they could afford to enjoy an unusual experience with their loved ones. Still, as I looked at the hundreds of them digging in the dirt - knowing that on average less than two diamonds are found per day - I couldn't help but think of the multitudes who invest in dreams that never yield a return: the people I've seen staring mindlessly at machines, wasting away their paychecks in hopes of hitting it big; countless women and young girls trapped in abusive relationships as a result of being consumed by their quest for love; men pouring endless hours into jobs promising future honor and wealth for the loved ones they never see, the families that fall apart before the pay-off ever comes. The list could go on and on. 

If you give more than you can afford just because something sounds promising, you'll wind up disappointed and destitute when you come away with nothing to show for your investment. That's why the man in Jesus' parable only sold his possessions after he found the treasure.  Too often, the world's promises just don't pan out. This is why Jesus cautions us to "store up treasures in heaven where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where [our] treasure is, there [our] heart will be also" (Matthew 6:20-21).

Which leads me to the second insight: Go on the adventure!  Seek God. Dig deep. Search thoroughly. Enjoy Him! Very few of those who visit the Crater of Diamonds walk away with more than dirt on their clothes at the end of their adventure, yet God promises that when we seek him with all our hearts, we will find him (Deuteronomy 4:29 & Jeremiah 29:13).  God is not man that he should lie (Numbers 23:19) and he fulfills his every promise (Joshua 21:45). Being assured of this, don't hold back! Not only do we get to enjoy the experience of finding him, with God we also can be certain of the reward. Proverbs 2:3-8 says:

     "Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it

      as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the

      Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come

      knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to

      those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of

      his faithful ones." (NIV)

When it comes to Jesus Christ, I believe with all my heart, the only adventures we'll regret are the ones we didn't take. As you leave, consider Hebrews 11:6, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Wet Mining at Crater of Diamonds - March 24, 2017