"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
It was Monday night worship practice. Though no one had a heavy heart we knew what was coming - it was our beloved worship director's last day there. We knew we'd miss him but we probably were not quite ready to accept this change. Some of us were talking and cutting up, trying to keep the mood light. He began to speak.
"You know guys, we've built a great team here, and I've been so blessed to have each and every one of you as a part of this team. I wanted to share some thoughts with you on how to keep it this way."
He began to talk about attitudes and keeping them in check, but then he began to say something very profound:
"I want you guys to realize what your treasure is. You know, I consider this team a treasure. When I call, say Nick, to go out to a late night movie, that's a treasure to me. Leading worship with everyone lifting their hands and praising God together, that's a treasure. Jesus said the kingdom of God is like finding treasure in a field. When things get tough we need to remember the treasure that's only found in the kingdom of heaven. And sometimes, we really need to remember that treasure is there in order to see us through."
What is your treasure? Is it hanging out with people you love and care about? Is it grabbing a coffee with your co-leader just for fun? Is it the smiles that you receive during childrens' ministry, or is it someone at work you've been praying for and mentoring who just had a breakthrough? It could also be the love that you share with your spouse.
Whatever it is, take note of your treasure. Our treasure is very important to find and to cherish.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." -Matthew 6:19
There is a great temptation in our lifetime to only focus on things that are in the here and now - in the physical realm. Money, recognition, achievements, and material things have their own sense of pleasure - and they are the things we see with our physical eyes. But, in reality, they don’t last; these things never make it to the realm of eternity.
But what does last? How can we make the greatest impact in the kingdom that lasts for all eternity?
Imagine if every thing we did for God resulted in a jewel in our crown in heaven. Imagine if every act of kindness, giving to the poor, acting upon the voice of the Holy Spirit, and moving in love and power were the keys that unlocked our heavenly treasures...
"In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble." -Proverbs 15:6
Obedience to God and His word are how we can store up treasure in heaven. Are you storing up heavenly treasures?
"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather
into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not
worth much more than they?" Matthew 6:26
Sometimes in life we may feel undervalued, unappreciated, and
understated. Things happen which make us think that other people don't
care about us, and we do not feel valued us as a human being, employee,
friend, son or daughter, or brother or sister. We take it upon
ourselves to think that we are not worth enough to them whatever the
circumstance may be.
We sell ourselves short. We think we are not worth the effort, the
money, the resolve, or the energy. We think somehow that by playing the
miser or self-denier we will make our humanity right. That perhaps, in
some way, we will justify ourselves to the world. That our reason for
being will be, well? explained.
But why do we keep on making excuses for ourselves? Why do we have to
be explained? If God destined for us to enter this world, then surely
there must be a reason for it. Jesus said, "If I care so much for
sparrows, how much more do I care for you? The hairs on your head are
numbered." (Matt 10:30)
The fact is we are not worthy. We are not worthy of anything that is
given to us. It is through His grace that we are made worthy. Worthy
of our calling, worthy of His mercy, and worthy of His best for us,
personally. We may mess up, yes. We may hurt others, yes. We may
choose wrongly, yes. And others may hurt us, too. But at the end of
the day, when all is said and done, when we've renounced our mistakes,
and asked to start over, God is faithful to forgive us, see us as the
children that we are, and love us no matter what. We are worth that
much to him.
You didn't have to do anything to be somebody. God has already made you
a somebody. There is a great quote that says, "God didn't have one of
you, and he wanted one of you, so he made one of you." Choose to
believe that today.
