05/04/2023
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, … Deuteronomy 29:29
One of the most popular cable television programs in recent years is History Channel’s “Curse of Oak Island”. In case you are not familiar with the show, it portrays a group of men and women who are searching an island off the Nova Scotia coast for a legendary stash of gold, silver and precious antiquities. For the last 228 years, many have sought the cursed treasure without success only to uncover new mysteries and insurmountable obstacles. The hunt has not been without its toll. Many have lost fortunes, some a lifetime of disappointing toil and tragically others their lives. But even with the risks and the lack of rewards to-date, the search to uncover the mystery of the fabled bounty continues.
All of us love the intrigue of a treasure hunt. The potential of discovering the lost or hidden and the unveiling of a mystery excites our soul. God has put the desire to know what is concealed and secret in our very being. It is this quest in life that drives us to know Him.
From a very young age each of us begins a hunt for a treasure in our life whether we realize it or not. A life long pursuit for the one thing that will satisfy the desire of our heart begins. For some the quest is wealth or career, others it is love and then there are those who long for power or fame to satisfy the desire they seek. Like those who have searched Oak Island for the illusive treasure, the desire to conquer the unknown and pursue our personal treasure drives us on.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
Jesus tells us that no matter what treasure we pursue in life it will captivate our heart. The search for that bounty is like a jealous lover overwhelming the heart while shielding out all other suitors. Oh, we may try to divide our heart among other loves but the yearning and demands of the pursuit for our treasure dictates a covetous focus leaving all other claimants in life behind.
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other”. Matthew 6:24
Every man’s heart has a treasure it is bound to and no matter which quarry we chase in life, there is always a cost. Most of us realize there will be a price to pursue the treasure that has captured our heart but most never realized how costly it truly is. It is always the expense of the collateral costs and the price of lost opportunity that is unanticipated. And for the few who reap the bounty of their quest in this life, they discover it does not quite shine with the brilliance they anticipated once in hand.
Many a person expends a lifetime seeking a tarnished treasure only to realize it never satisfied that desire of their heart which inspired the daily grind of the hunt. If you are fortunate enough like me to recognize the chase for earthly glitter is a sham, the way to genuine treasure waits.
“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 6:19-20
God has set before everyone an eternal treasure. He is always calling out to all those who will listen to make Him the treasure of their heart through His Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge waiting for those who will receive Him.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
What is the treasure and pursuit of your heart? It is never too late to seek genuine treasure that lasts.
M.P. Bramble
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