All that Glitters

“All that glitters is not gold…”

Tolkien wrote it in regard to the one ring—the ring that appeared to hold the ultimate promise of peace and happiness, but it was not so.

It’s so easy to get caught up into the shiny temptations of this world—even things that appear justified, but aren’t. It’s true that this world—this life—is beautiful. We should appreciate it. We should be grateful each morning that we open our eyes to behold it.

But, it’s easy to forget that evil also lurks within. Gaze into the mirror and beauty can turn to vanity, and pride is tucked into the humblest heart. It’s so hard to resist the glitter before us.         

—and we desire it—it becomes…precious.

The warnings of how we should and should not live are in Scripture. We know them. We ignore them. Instead of being about our Father’s business, we’re far too often about our own

—building our treasure right here.

Wide-eyed, Helen sat on the bed, opening the boxes of costume jewelry as quickly as her 5 year old hands could lift off the lids. “Oohh!” she exclaimed. Each box contained a new and exciting necklace, earrings, or bracelet. She held them up, examining them. “This is very, vey beautiful!” she proclaimed as she raked her fingers through the shiny plastic.

“Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil” (1 Thes. 5:21).

The trinkets of this world, alluring as they are, will not bring lasting peace. Our deep- rooted satisfaction comes only from our relationship with God. Our promise of joy is not here, but in a world beyond—a land of joy unceasing, without pain, without sorrow.

How tempting it is to reach for the costume jewelry. It sparkles, but it is not lasting. It looks good to the eyes but, as Eve learned--the aftertaste is bitter.

Last summer Helen and I leaned over a rail, gazing on the crown jewels of Great Britain. I couldn’t even wrap my mind around what we were seeing—the gold, the diamonds, the gems

—sparkle that was real.

We error when we seek ultimate happiness here. Joy is not found in things or people or accomplishments. Joy is only found in Jesus. We need to spend more time in the Word, seeking true treasure in a relationship with Him.

Helen is still a child. We are not. 

What a pity if we should be taken in by the glitter of mere costume jewelry.