Uncovering Hidden Treasure

My sister in New Zealand and I in Oregon meet daily on the phone for morning prayer. We are following the liturgical style of worship from a book entitled Celtic Daily Prayer. One question that is asked each day is: “Who is it that you seek?” That's followed by the answer: “We seek the Lord our God.” And then follow four questions: “Do you seek him with all your heart?… with all your soul?… with all your mind?… with all your strength? The response to each of these questions is: “Amen. Lord, have mercy.”

I find myself daily stopped by that repeated word “all”. Lord, have mercy indeed! Do I seek God with my whole self? Do you?

One of Jesus’ Kingdom parables raises this question. “The Kingdom,” he tells us, “is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found us, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and brought that field.” (Matthew 13:34,35)

What comes to your mind as you read these words? I wonder if we race past all these Kingdom metaphors without pausing to consider what Jesus is really saying. Our simple interpretation may be that the treasure is Jesus our Savior and that we surrender our lives and our will as we receive his gift. Which is important. However, the more I read these words, the more questions arise. Why is the treasure hidden? Why in a field? Why was he searching in a field that didn't belong to him? Why did he hide the treasure after he found it? Why was it OK for him to buy the field without letting on to the treasure in it?

Are you with me?

Wise teachers have told me often that good questions are more important than answers, especially when we jump to obvious conclusions to quiet our fears or concerns. So today I'm inviting you to sit with these questions, which ever seem most important to you, and allow the Spirit to open your understanding. I think that at different times in our lives different questions become more important.

Here are a few thoughts to focus on:

Why Hidden?

Why is the treasure that represents the Kingdom hidden? Wouldn’t God want it out in the open so everyone could see it and have it? Why does God choose to hide? My thoughts turn to the words Jeremiah wrote as coming from the mouth of God.

       “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

There’s that word “all” again!

And Eugene Peterson in his translation writes: “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed. God’s Decree.”

I am sure like me you are aware of how many distractions our culture offers that challenge us daily in our choice of being with God and responding to his calling and will. I was reminded of this recently as I talked with my grandson who has been going through some big challenges. I have been procrastinating about writing this blog—any excuse to avoid it! He spoke to me of choosing to be grateful for what he has in his life, despite the challenges. And I realized the story I wanted to share with you here was about making choices and that I was avoiding the very things that do make a difference for me in my life at present. So here I am. Choosing to seek the Kingdom. Choosing to seek the hidden God. Choosing to be serious about my journey with God.What is drawing you away from Kingdom living right now? Is it simple distraction? Is it your busy lifestyle? Is it difficulties it is easier to run away from than face and deal with? What is holding you back from seeking the Lord with your whole heart?

What Treasure?

What is the treasure you need in your life today?

I hear the words I pray with my sis every day: “Who is it that you seek?”

And I wonder about the treasure I need in my life right now.

Yes, I seek God—Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit—but what facet of their character do I need?

I have been struggling with a lot of anxiety in recent months,

and I am aware of how much I need the peace that Jesus promised—

and the God of peace.

The promise of peace is there in Scripture.

I can find it.

Then what?

Where is the cost, the all?

So, I find the verses that promise me peace. And then comes the challenge: what is the price I have to pay to gain this treasure?

Paul tells me, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7

My grandson’s words come back to me, “I am choosing to be thankful.” So here is the price: in every situation, to tell God about my concerns and then respond with gratitude. This means my being willing to trust him with the situations in the lives of those I love –the things I cannot change--and to acknowledge that his presence and love is with them constantly, and that he can do what I cannot.

And then Paul goes on to write: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:8,9

Oh, so now I have to choose my thoughts—to keep them not on my fears and concerns, but on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report! And then the promise comes, not just of peace but of the presence of the God of peace.

At those moments when anxiety seeks to grab me, my choice must be to turn to God

again and again and again.

No wallowing.

No sighing.

No running away.

To be present to my life and the lives of those I love.

How does this apply to you?

Here is the invitation for you today. What dots is God trying to connect in your life today? What is your need, your struggle, your challenge?

Take time to sit with your questions. Remember Jesus told us to ask, to seek and to knock. Ask, seek, knock on the door with the hidden God who is inviting you into a depth with him that will change your life.

Do you need someone to sit with you as you wrestle with these things? A spiritual director can offer you the gift of sitting in sacred space with you and allowing the questions to rise and the Spirit to enter your distress or confusion. Reach out to us here at Fermata Ministries, and we can help you.

God is waiting to offer you a new way of doing life, of being with him.

The door is open.

Come in.