Diamond Cutting

While it was my full intention to continue with my study on Grace, I must indulge myself and spend a bit of time exploring the diamond that I wrote about earlier. For some reason this beautiful gem has captured my thoughts this week so I did some further study.

Although the process in which diamonds are formed is intriguing, what captured my attention is the diamond cutting itself. It is in the cut that the brilliance of the stone is brought out for the eye to see.


As I learned about the art of diamond cutting, I couldn't help but find a picture of God's grace in our lives weaved through the process. I have often pictured myself as the clay in the potters hand, but I have never considered myself as a diamond on the cutters wheel.

Unlike clay, a brilliantly cut diamond starts it's life buried within the larger stone. By holding it in his hand, the artist knows the way it was formed and just how to cut it so that it can reflect the light for all to see. We are the same way in our Father's hand. Only He knows how and where to cut to shape us into what he has designed us to be. A reflection of His light to the world.

Another point that isn't lost on me is the fact that a diamond is very hard. Only one with the proper tools can remove the rough edges. This isn't easy on the diamond, but the end result is worth it.

As pointed out in the video above, this is commonly done by using another diamond so they can shape each other. I think this is a great picture of Christ's church. The creator using diamonds to shape diamonds to form the light catching beauty he has seen buried beneath the surface. This is why we should move when God prompts us. Get up and go where He leads. As a church, we have received the gift of each other. It may be an honest word, a helping hand or consoling embrace. What ever it may be, we must be willing to both deliver and receive as the shaping of the stone happens on each end.

Father I thank you for knowing my final shape. Please help me to remember this when the cutting of my rough edges becomes difficult. I also pray that you will give me a willing heart to move among your people, polishing us into the glimmering likeness of your Son.