I'm a romantic at heart and always have been. I'm a treasure hunter.
I've always had this thing for lost causes, great adventures, exotic sounding
places and treasure. Even as a child I was bringing home shiny bits of this
and that, wonderful new things I had found or tidbits of knowledge that I had
gleaned and just had to share with others. Pirate stories, adventure tales,
and heroes have fascinated me for as long as I can remember.
I've had a touch of gold fever and panned for gold. I learned quickly
that when other people see you panning they have an insatiable curiosity for
treasure as well.
I enjoy haunting garage sales and flea markets in search of little
treasures. I have hunted through old farmyards and ghost towns in search of
old bottles and other collectables. Museums have a fascination for me. Old
bookstores are a passion. Nuggets of knowledge, strange words or delightful
new insights can be gleaned from old books.
My treasures don't need to have monetary value, things that make you
think, or grow, or simply look at the world through another set of eyes for a
moment are worth far more than money.
The thrill of the initial find and the joy of sharing it with others is
what makes it exciting. In school I was one of those annoying classmates who
always had his hand up saying, "Ask me. I know." I wasn't showing off, I was
just excited about being able to share what I had learned.
Those who have attended Bible study with me, or the members of the
Sunday school classes I've taught have learned that at some point I'm going
to have to share some trivial thing that I think adds great value to the
topic under discussion. My wife and sons have learned to "ooh" and "ahh" over
my latest "find", my latest gem of knowledge, my strange new word because the
sooner they do that, the quicker I shut up about it.
I believe that my desire to find "little treasures" is a gift from God.
It sends me deep into His Word to find out more. I read commentaries, word
studies, lexicons, dictionaries and more to deepen my understanding of what
I'm reading. My sons would say I'm a keener, a geek, a nerd, I prefer to
thing that I'm hunting treasure to share.
Coming to know Jesus was a jewel beyond value. I understand the way the
Scriptures describe the kingdom of God as treasure.
The treasure of knowing God is worth all that you have and more. It's
worth more than all the other treasures you can imagine gathered together and
multiplied and more.
To make it even more valuable, we have the joy of sharing what we have
found and learned. We're called to tell others about our find and about the
wonderful ways Jesus has changed (and is changing) our lives. We can share
His peace, His joy, His love and His forgiveness. In fact the sharing is the
most delightful part of having the treasure.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
