Digging for Diamonds: Finding Treasure in the Messiness of Life

by Cathy Madavan

Digging for Diamonds explores 12 key facets which help you understand your unique God-given gifts and how you can live a valuable, purposeful life.

Are you tired of living on planet shallow? Have you realised that there is nothing super about superficial? If so, then it’s time to get real!

What is hidden matters. What you can’t see always shapes what you can see. And this is true for us too. God doesn’t want us to be shallow people, so no matter how impressive (or not) we appear to be, it’s what happens beneath the surface that matters most of all. So, it’s worth digging a bit deeper to find out what is really valuable. Often it is in the hidden and slightly messy places where we find the greatest treasure of all. It’s in the darkness that we often find diamonds.

This book looks at 12 different facets of diamonds and the lessons we can learn from them, such as being unique but flawed, being resilient, knowing our value, being transformed and becoming a prism through which transformation happens.

Cathy Madavan will in turns make you laugh and make you think. As you read and reflect on each chapter you will be challenged to move past the surface and to really dig deep into the treasure beneath the surface in your own life. You may well be richer than you realise.

Content for Diamonds encourages us to dig deeper and discover more of the life-transforming treasures of our identity, strength, character and purpose that God has already placed within us - right where we are.

Helps you to find the treasure hidden in the messiness of lifeEncourages you to be brave and move beyond the culture of shallowness to authenticityUses the metaphor of diamonds to deliver life lessonsEach chapter includes a Bible reading, teaching, questions and a prayerStudies themes such as identity and purposePerfect for quiet times or discipleship groups as well as personal useWill encourage you to see that you are precious to GodGain a deeper understanding of your unique God-given identity and giftsEncourages you to live a valuable, purposeful lifeWritten in an engaging and accessible style that is suitable for all to understandA perfect gift for any occasion to inspire friends, family or loved ones to dig deeper into God's truthsIdeal inspirational gift for womenA 40 Day Devotional companion is also available to explore the themes in more detail Audiobook narrated by author availableCathy Madavan is a regular speaker at events including New Wine and Spring Harvest

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 6, 2015

About the author

Cathy Madavan is a speaker and author, who has been teaching about resilience, relationships and purpose for over 20 years. Her ability to combine hard-earned wisdom with practicality, vulnerability memorable stories and sparkling humour has helped countless individuals, audiences and organisations, giving them time-tested tools and implementable advice for their personal and professional lives. Cathy lives in the UK and travels extensively speaking to audiences in her own irrepressible way.

Reviews

[D Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mis-judged this book by its cover. Cathy is another one of those glamorous and energetic and highly likeable preachers. Hair pristine and clothes tasteful. I think my fashion sense bars me from the world of preaching. So when I saw her book I though that Cathy and diamonds. It must be a girly fluffy book about all the kind of womanhood that I am not. A friend said she wanted to read this book which made me give it a second glance.
Today I had a much needed duvet day and read it. I am very sorry Cathy for judging this book as girly fluff. This was a meaty and serious book about recognising our and others value and potential. We've started to see "Jesus loves you" as corny stuff. But actually this book demonstrates that we are deliberate and amazing creations. This book dares me to hope that I can break out and be me and everything that the me is. I am sure I'll keep returning to this book whenever I am beating myself up.
So pleased to have been willing to look past my assumptions. This is a path to examining many self assumptions.

[Tanya Marlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Christian living book about identity as a Christian, using the image of a diamond as an extended metaphor, covering topics about self image (flawed yet unique) and also more diverse topics like Christian community and enduring hard times.

I have never heard Cathy speak, but I imagine that she would pack out Christian conferences, because even in her writing style you can hear the warmth, wit and wisdom in her voice. She is one of those writers who is instantly likeable, and her writing is like sitting down with a friend with a good cup of coffee, laughing together at funny stories memories and talking good sense to one another.

Each chapter is easily digestible, and has a verse, a prayer, and some discussion questions. This is an easy and immensely enjoyable read, with some great practical wisdom. I got a free copy of this in exchange for my honest review, which this is.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apart from the cover which is probably not in the author's control, this is one of the best books I have read on the Christian life. It is very readable and the kind of book you could read and re-read and still find gems within it. Indeed, it is about gems, finding the diamonds within each one of us. Cathy explains how each of us is a work in progress, we are valuable and worthwhile. A great message for this very negative world of ours. Cathy explains that just as diamonds are coal/carbon which has developed over long ages, so as we develop and use the gifts we have, we develop into diamond people that can be used by God for his highest purposes. I particularly liked the way that each chapter concludes with a list of thought provokers. In fact, I was so caught up with reading the book that I didn't do this list justice, however, it is a book you could go back to time and time again and still find something new, or even use it with a group. Highly recommended.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst the biblical focus was good, I felt that the lack of mention of blood diamonds, unethical conditions and lab grown diamonds was a big oversight. Although there was a cursory mention of slavery in the final chapter, it was hardly discussed at all. The book mainly focused on diamonds as a metaphor for self worth and inner value, suggesting that their value, like ours, is inherent, or 'it just is' (although this isn't true, as diamonds are so valuable due to withheld supply and De Beers marketing strategies from the 19th century onwards). I think that privileged Christians have a responsibility to think about these issues, and to bring them to the spotlight. Whilst the book does mention the importance of charity and generosity, using good exegesis to do so, I think an opportunity was missed here. Diamonds themselves are clearly not the most important point of the book, as Christianity is the main focus, but this was a little distracting for me.

[Jenny Sanders]

Cathy explores twelve aspects of diamonds under four groupings: Identity; Strength; Character; Purpose. I enjoyed her light touch and humour combined with well-aimed punches of truth. She digs out truths with consummate skill and aptly steers the reader to apply those to real life in it's gritty reality.

I hear there's another on the way soon ('Irrespresible') - Woop!

Extra pleased to finally get my hands on a copy since a) she used to teach my kids piano, and b) she's just written the Foreward for my own book, 'Spiritual Feasting', which will be published in May.

Quote: '...let's be prepared to laugh out loud at ourselves but to take seriously the call of God on our lives. Together we can dig deeper than we knew was possible and discover that even in the messiness of everyday life, we are indeed richer than we had ever imagined.' C'mon!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very encouraging and inspiring read. I find myself still reflecting on the words that Cathy Madavan wrote. The whole analogy on diamonds and our giftings was just perfect! Now there were some word choices that I was bothered by (mainly because I don't think it should "normalized" in a Chrisitan book). Other than that, I am glad that I read this, and I look forward to apply what I've learned in my everyday life.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some great insights and truths in this book. I only felt that the diamond analogy was a little overstretched and actually unnecessary. It initially just wound me up to be honest because it was like the content had to be related to something that females understand, pretty things! But I’m sure that wasn’t the intention. And the biblical truths far outweigh that, and I liked the humour.

[Lynne Chitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really laid back style of writing easy to read but with some wonderful insights and thoughts to ponder. you can read it quickly or you can prayefully answer the questions at the end of each chapter.
Recommended reading

[Jenny Fribbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down-to-earth, easy to digest and a fun read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to hear Cathy speak at Spring Harvest this year, and to speak briefly with her when I asked her to sign my copy of her book. She is a talented speaker who engages with her audience and clearly cares deeply about people, which comes across in her writing.

This wonderful book very much embodies the spirit of Ephesians 4:29 where the followings of Christ are directed to build each other up and to encourage each other, rather than tear each other down. Written in a conversation tone, with a healthy dose of humour and honesty, this is a must for anyone who has ever doubted their own worth and inherent value. There is no complicated theology, no patronising attitude, no condescension towards the reader, simply words of scripture and gentle encouragement to let us know if we have never known and remind us if we have forgotten that we are precious in God’s sight and no amount of worldly success can make us any valuable to him. If you have ever struggled with issues of self-esteem and self-worth, I could not recommend this book any more highly.

[Fubzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I imagine it is better than my rating suggests. I doubt I was in the right place to read it as I ended up basically staring at the page while my mind wandered. The time to think was really useful though so I can't complain.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully thought-provoking and interesting read. So much to discuss, consider and implement. An easy read l, yet full of power and challenge.