Friday, September 14, 2007

A Diamond in the Rough

A Diamond in the Rough
By Tim Rohm

Feeling down and dirty surrounded by muck?
Been feeling confined, forever stuck in a rut?

Is pressure being applied from all directions?
Squeezing you and your imperfections

A lump of coal felt that way for years,
Just before it all became clear!

Many times it thought of giving up.
As it slowly became a diamond in the rough.

Just when it thought no one cared a lick
It felt the ping of the miner’s pick.

From the long years in the cold dark night
To the bright heat of the jeweler’s light.

Sharp pains of a chisel splitting its side.
What would that do, but prepare it to reside-

In the setting of the ring for a blushing bride!
Who would forever display it with pride!

So next time you’re feeling like a mess,
Consider this: you’re a work in progress!

And when you’re feeling such awesome pressure
Think about how God made this treasure!

If God had such plans for a lump of Coal
What has He planned for your next role?


Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.

3 comments:

Jonathan Branch said...

great poetry! it reminds me of a thought that's been on and off my mind for a while - the fact that we are all so full of purpose and meaning, but can only know it completely when we realize ourselves in God's light instead of our own. Eugene Peterson parapharases part of John 1 by saying, "...whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves."
talk about taking a diamond from the rough...

Jill said...

Tim, thank you for sharing this timely poem, and for reminding me of one of my favorite verses from the Bible. If God has plans for that lump of coal, then I know He has plans for the next chapter in my life.

Deacontim said...

I'm glad ya'll enjoyed the poem.Sometimes God sends some intense feelings my way and I have to direct that energy. I'll try to find some of my other poems and post them.