Treasure Worth Finding
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44
I’m chewing on God’s Word today. I love the hunt. We are to seek him like we would hidden treasure. If someone told me there was a million bucks buried in my backyard, you better believe I’d make good use of a shovel today. So why, when God and His Word are worth so much more than earthly treasure, do we toss them aside and decide to come back later when we have time or when we feel like it? It’s when I seek him with determination and perseverance that he reveals himself to me.
It’s great to hear God’s Word spoken or taught by others, but getting it directly from the Spirit of God to yourself is so much better!
Today, I’m just asking questions of God. Not prideful, demanding questions. Seeking, eager questions. I’m not eager for him to tell me what I want to hear, but what he wants me to hear. I’m reading His Words to me and then asking him exactly what he means by them.
Today, I’m seeking to remove the distractions and the earthly desires that are likely to pull me away from him. I’m asking him to remove things that I can’t even see need removing. I’m denying earthly pleasures that I really want to indulge in, in order to indulge in God, the only pleasure that truly satisfies.
I’ve read God’s Word for years and prayed for years. Those are the two biggies that all good Christians are supposed to do, right? Then how come so many of us struggle to do it out of love and a true desire rather than obligation? I think, for me, because I’ve casually read through the Word and quickly, without passion, thrown up prayers to God. I haven’t treated the Word and prayer like the powerful, meaningful things that they are. I act like they’re an alternative to tv or computer time, not like they’re the keys to a kingdom worth having.
Now the Lord is showing me the importance and power of these things in a new way. I try to no longer put His Words in my mouth only to chew a little and then spit them out. It’s my intention the chew and chew and chew, then to swallow and digest. It’s only by meditating and digesting that I get the necessary nutrients this Bread is there to provide.
I read His Word in the morning, then let it swirl around in my mind as I go about my daily tasks. I’m pondering and wondering and asking, as I do laundry, or wipe bottoms, or fix lunch.
He is drawing me into a new understanding of prayer. “Why pray?” we ask. What do we mean by a question like that? Why talk to other people? To know them and build a relationship with them. Why go before a king or employer or leader and ask for anything? Because they have the power to provide what you need and/or desire. What a silly question, but one I’ve asked too many times! Why pray? Because we’ve been given access to know and be provided for by the all-powerful King of the Universe! Why do we casually throw such a high privilege, that carries with it such power, away?
Today, I’m on a treasure hunt. I want more of God and I can't stop until I get it. What are you hunting today?
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.
Proverbs 3:13-18
I’m chewing on God’s Word today. I love the hunt. We are to seek him like we would hidden treasure. If someone told me there was a million bucks buried in my backyard, you better believe I’d make good use of a shovel today. So why, when God and His Word are worth so much more than earthly treasure, do we toss them aside and decide to come back later when we have time or when we feel like it? It’s when I seek him with determination and perseverance that he reveals himself to me.
It’s great to hear God’s Word spoken or taught by others, but getting it directly from the Spirit of God to yourself is so much better!
Today, I’m just asking questions of God. Not prideful, demanding questions. Seeking, eager questions. I’m not eager for him to tell me what I want to hear, but what he wants me to hear. I’m reading His Words to me and then asking him exactly what he means by them.
Today, I’m seeking to remove the distractions and the earthly desires that are likely to pull me away from him. I’m asking him to remove things that I can’t even see need removing. I’m denying earthly pleasures that I really want to indulge in, in order to indulge in God, the only pleasure that truly satisfies.
I’ve read God’s Word for years and prayed for years. Those are the two biggies that all good Christians are supposed to do, right? Then how come so many of us struggle to do it out of love and a true desire rather than obligation? I think, for me, because I’ve casually read through the Word and quickly, without passion, thrown up prayers to God. I haven’t treated the Word and prayer like the powerful, meaningful things that they are. I act like they’re an alternative to tv or computer time, not like they’re the keys to a kingdom worth having.
Now the Lord is showing me the importance and power of these things in a new way. I try to no longer put His Words in my mouth only to chew a little and then spit them out. It’s my intention the chew and chew and chew, then to swallow and digest. It’s only by meditating and digesting that I get the necessary nutrients this Bread is there to provide.
I read His Word in the morning, then let it swirl around in my mind as I go about my daily tasks. I’m pondering and wondering and asking, as I do laundry, or wipe bottoms, or fix lunch.
He is drawing me into a new understanding of prayer. “Why pray?” we ask. What do we mean by a question like that? Why talk to other people? To know them and build a relationship with them. Why go before a king or employer or leader and ask for anything? Because they have the power to provide what you need and/or desire. What a silly question, but one I’ve asked too many times! Why pray? Because we’ve been given access to know and be provided for by the all-powerful King of the Universe! Why do we casually throw such a high privilege, that carries with it such power, away?
Today, I’m on a treasure hunt. I want more of God and I can't stop until I get it. What are you hunting today?
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.
Proverbs 3:13-18
Yes, very true!
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