Jade

 All of the world sings praises to our great Creator

     Often called "green gold," jade is one of the most precious gems in the world, sought after for carving, slicing, and polishing. But it is often substituted with serpentine jade, a much softer version of the same mineral, which would've turned into true jade if it'd had more time baking in the earth. The two rocks look very similar or even identical without a test; when prospectors and miners hound for jade, they have many methods of determining which stone they have. One way to tell is, of course, the hardness of the stone, but another difference is the sound it makes. When you tap glass with metal it clinks, stone goes "tak," and metal tings against itself. In this way, jade is unique; when struck with steel, true jade makes a bright tinging sound as though it were metal.

     Each and every gem, rock and mineral is unique, gorgeous, stunning beyond what human minds could design. Even without words, all of the earth shouts out that something beyond our understanding, a great Artist, has handcrafted each individual molecule and arranged these to create breathtaking phenomena. This Artist, this Creator, is the God that I worship.

     "As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.'"

Luke 19:37-40

     "If the people fall silent, the very stones would cry out." This phrase speaks, to me, of the majesty of the Lord reflected through all His creation, showing Himself through His mighty works. My great and mighty Lord is beyond mighty, beyond mysterious, the greatest treasure that you could ever find.

"Sing to the LORD a new song,

  his praise from the end of the earth, 

you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it,

  the coastlands and their inhabitants. 

Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice,

  the villages that Kedar inhabits; 

let the habitants of Sela sing for joy,

  let them shout from the top of the mountains. 

Let them give glory to the LORD,

  and declare his praise in the coastlands. 

The LORD goes out like a mighty man,

  like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; 

he cries out, he shouts aloud,

  he shows himself mighty against his foes."

Isaiah 42:10-13

     All of Creation knows its Creator, calls out His name silently, worships Him. The beautiful contrasts and artistic flairs of nature show us that He is real and good. As you walk through the wild, see the brightest and darkest colors, both life and death, in balance. This is how God made the world, and it is good. Each stunning and unique creature inspires praise. Let all of His Creation be a reminder of His glory and grace.

"Let those who delight in my righteousness

shout for joy and be glad

and say evermore,

“Great is the Lord,

who delights in the welfare of his servant!”

Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness

and of your praise all the day long."

Psalm 35:27-28