Treasure

Treasure is defined in two ways: 1.) wealth that is stored up or hidden away or 2.) to hold or keep something precious, something of value; to cherish. 

It is pretty (freaking) cool how God works in His time. He does some crazy things in ways we would never expect at times we aren't looking for anything to happen. 

Tonight, I had the opportunity to sit and talk with someone for well over an hour about life and cool God things. This conversation may have seemed simple, but it surely got me thinking. If you had told me two months ago that I would have sat with this person talking for that long of a time, just the two of us, I most likely wouldn't have believed you. But like I said- God works in His time and He has greater purposes than what we can imagine with our small human brains. 

Though the entire conversation I shared with this person was purposeful, intentional, and joyous, one thing stuck in my mind that I think most people could ponder over. 

We got on the discussion of treasuring things. This is something I've seen the Lord bring up a couple time recently through different people around me that I myself never had even thought of. 

Now when I say treasuring up "things" I don't mean earthly possessions. Matthew 6:19 says,"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal". I am referring to treasuring different things God has given you whether this is a lesson He has taught you, a person He has put in your path, etc. 

The idea of treasuring something to me is something so incredibly intimate and precious. As I said, God works in such incredible ways. He shows, reveals and teaches us all what He wants us to learn about and grow in. How much more intimate would we be able to get with God if when He showed us certain things that we stored those things up with just Him? How much more would we be able to grow in our relationship with Him, knowing that we share something with Him and no one else?

Don't get me wrong- sharing what God is doing for you to others is great. It can motivate your community around you or serve as a stepping stone to your testimony. But are there not some little things that you could intimately keep between you and God and let flourish? 

Anything can be a treasure. You can treasure maybe a certain call to action God has given you in order to let Him shape and prepare that action to be extremely powerful in His name. You can treasure a relationship that God has given you allowing that relationship to be a tool for the furthering of the kingdom. Maybe it is a simple idea that you have- maybe a certain prayer or fast you feel God is calling you to honor Him with. 

This world corrupts. This world sometimes will try to steal your treasure and dull its true beauty and luster. James 1:27 mentions how the world pollutes. 2 Peter 1:4 tells us that thanks to Christ's work on the cross, we as believers can escape "the corruption of the world caused by evil desires". 

Turning to the things or people of this world with your treasure in hand will not keep it as precious as turning in towards the Father will. 

For some people this idea may seem daunting. I know for me personally whenever I'm excited about anything I must tell friends around me right away. That excitement and passion can die very quickly after sharing so quickly. Keeping something in for just you and God to know and share may seem like a challenge. I believe this is a challenge worth taking on- intimacy with the Father (which is more beautiful than most things and relationships here on earth) is 100% worth not sharing every single detail of every single day with another person. 

If there is anything within your life that you already treasure, turn inward toward the Father with that. He will work through whatever it is- He gave it to you to begin with. Let Him bless it even further.

If you don't have something in your mind that you know you treasure, reflect on life. You reflect either on what is in your life currently or just being open to what the Lord has in store for the future. When you are aware, treasures in mind, you too should turn to the Father with it. Let the Lord bless your treasure and help it flourish.

What in your life can you take in and treasure with the Father that you may grow closer in intimacy with Him?