Crystal Clear

I’m rather fond of crystals. I could offer all sorts of theological justification for this, such as Revelation 21:11, which wonderfully states of heaven: 

Having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

By lining my shelves with gems and cut stones, I anticipate the splendours of New Jerusalem. In fact, I am fond of crystals because I merely like the look of them- their shades, textures and occasional glistening. For Christmas, a kindly relative bought me a set of spherical stones to correspond with the eight planets of our solar system, each sitting in a beautiful wooden case.

The accompanying information booklet, rather than waxing about the solar system, described the stones and the supposed qualities and blessings they will bestow on those with whom they come into contact.  Neptune, I’m told, is made of Sri Lankan Cat’s Eye stone and will protect me from poverty. Saturn’s yellow topaz ‘relieves unpleasant negative emotions’. The Jupiter ball is made from South African Tiger’s Eye and endows me with courage. The Madagascan Labrodite, a greenish-grey stone from which my little Mercury is made, will help me to sleep and think clearly, though not, presumably, at the same time.

Try buying crystals online. Some are made into wands with which to ward off negative energy; others protect hearth and kin from diseases and quarrels. The rabid secularist must despair at such nonsense. A century of declining Christianity and people are as prone to ‘spirituality’ and superstition as ever they were before. As a Christian, I note that people who reject or ignore the gospel will look for alternative receptacles for their soul’s yearning. I seriously doubt crystals possess healing properties, though I’m pretty sure that apples, pears, cabbages and carrots certainly have. In Job 28, we read:

It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,

In precious onyx or sapphire.

Neither gold nor crystal can equal it,

Nor can it be exchanged for jewellery of fine gold.

No mention shall be made of coral or quartz.

What is the ‘it’ to which he refers, this wonderful commodity, more valuable than gold, unfound in crystals?

Wisdom (verse 12).