A Diamond in the Rough Although it has great potential, a diamond in the rough looks like an ordinary rock. A diamond only takes on beauty - and worth - when cut by an experienced jeweler. The jeweler must skillfully remove the rough edges. If a diamond is simply cut flat, with no facets – it is neither transparent nor reflective of light. It seems to absorb the light. When a diamond is cut with many facts, it beautifully reflects light. It is impossible for any one facet to reflect the light alone or more beautifully than the others. This is a picture of the body of Christ. We, as the body, have great potential for ministering to a lost, hurting, and dying world. However, without the intervention of Christ and our being yielded to Him, we appear no different than a social/civic club. Each individual in the body represents a facet in the diamond. When we allow Christ to remove our rough edges (sin, pride, insecurities, immaturity, etc.) and fashion us (mature and purify us), we have great potential for kingdom purposes. However, it is only when we function with other members of the body that we have great worth and beauty - like a multi-faceted diamond. No one member is any more significant than the others. It takes all members working in unison to be effective in being the church that God has called us to be. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). When one member attempts to out-shine the others, His Light is neither seen through them nor reflected from their ministry; it is as if they absorb His glory. Just as a diamond with many facets reflects light, so do we as a body working in unison reflect The One True Light to a world that desperately needs Him. When each member exercises their unique gifts to fulfill what God has called them to do in unity with other believers, then He is glorified as His Light is reflected. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). We demonstrate that love by embracing and respecting one another’s unique gifts and callings. Then will the world know that we are truly His disciples. Carole Korakas, WaterMark Ministry, www.watermarkministry.org