A Treasure

Once a man in search for a treasure,
Set out, his heart filled with pleasure.
Eagerly he went to work,
A man with a mission, no one could jerk.

He searched far and wide, up and down
For a treasure, which seemed, could not be found.
He raked the ground, but to his dismay,
Found only leaves to be thrown away.

He sat himself down in quiet defeat.
So discouraged, humiliated and beat.
So down in his heart with all his failures,
He did not even notice a sudden stranger.

“Tell me my good man, whatever weighs your heart down?”
Said a kind looking gentleman to the man with a frown.
“I came to this land in search of a treasure,
But now I sit here discouraged beyond measure.”

The friendly man smiled and spoke,
“You’ve come to the right place don’t be so easily broke.
The treasure you seek cannot be found,
Unless you dig deep under the ground.”

“It will be hard work, yes indeed,
But work well worth doing if you don’t concede.
Give up not, nor lose heart,
If you continue on you’ll have your part.

So the man in search of treasure did do
What the stranger had instructed him to.
He dug down, deep into the ground,
And what his heart desired he found.

Christians, too, can learn from this lesson.
As they go along life’s procession.
The Bible is full of treasure, ‘tis laden,
For any who come by for the taking.

So dig deep in God’s Word to receive it’s treasure,
And you will come out with an abundant measure.
But if you only rake at the surface, don’t be surprised,
When leaves is all that you ever find.

No Turning Back

I love standing outside at the close of the day as the sun is setting behind the mountains. The sky comes alive with beautiful colors as the clouds reflect the sun's rays. Gold, pink, purple, blue, and all in various shades. The sight is breath taking and causes my heart to flip. The heavens above beckon my soul to join in something greater than myself...to join in with all creation glorifying and praising the Lord Almighty.

I also love hiking in the woods, watching squirrels and chipmunks scamper up and down the tall trees, and listening to a gurgling stream make its way down the mountain. Butterflies flutter by the wildflowers growing along the path and the bees buzz along as they collect pollen. All of creation is a constant reminder of the awesome Creator who brought it into being and who deserves all of our worship and adoration.

So here I stand, amazed by the God who saved me and made me His. My life is no longer mine but His and I want it to be completely spent making much of my Lord and Savior. He alone saved me from His Father's holy wrath against my sin and clothed me in His righteousness...to Him I owe everything. I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I will not turn back. Wherever He leads, I will go and whatever He says, I will do. My joy and delight is found in Christ alone---my greatest treasure in this whole world! No matter the cost, I will follow on in the strength the Lord provides. By His grace I will stay the course and fight the good fight. I will run the race and climb the path He has set me on---no matter the cost. People may misunderstand me and think I have lost my mind, but all that matters to me is Jesus. I must live for an audience of one---there is no other way to live completely and fully for Christ. So I fix my eyes on the Sovereign Lord of my soul, setting all my hope on Him, and trusting Him for direction and help as I travel down the path He has set me on.

The Hidden Hand of Providence

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those called according to His purpose.”
--
Romans 8:28

The Christ-centered life is not like a joy ride around a still and peaceful lake, but an extreme adventure down a winding river, full of rapids and plummeting waterfalls as the Savior of your soul, who is also the Captain of your raft, steers your life. Sound exciting? Well, that’s not all. Most of the times as you are plunging through angry rapid the light seems to disappear. Darkness envelopes you in a heart crushing force as fears, doubts, and questions fill your mind. What’s happening? Where’s God? Why isn’t He at work in my life? Why is Jesus putting me through this? Doesn’t He care? The once amazing adventure has turned into a horror story, right? But wait...

Behind the pain, confusion, frustration, struggle, suffering, blessing, joy, peace, and everything else you experience and go through in life is an invisible hand leading, directing, orchestrating, and unfolding a plan that was determined before the foundation of the world. The hand of God’s providence is never absent from the ones who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Perhaps at times you may feel as though the waves and rapids of life determine your direction, but really hidden from your eyes is a loving, heavenly Father who works everything together for your good and His glory. Do not rely upon sight for it will fail you; but, believe in God’s promises and look at life through the eyes of faith.

The situations God brings into your life may not make sense at the time, but do not doubt His love and care just because you cannot understand what He is doing. God uses suffering as refining fire. He crushes His children in order to make them into vessels He can use, He empties His people of earthly joy in order to fill them with true, heavenly joy, and He causes all things (suffering, sickness, joy, happiness, disappointment, death, life, sin, sadness, etc) to work together for GOOD…to those who love God…to those called according to His purpose.

Sometimes it is tough to sit back and enjoy the ride God is taking you on in life, but when it comes right down to it that is all you can do. Your life is in God’s hands, so love Him and enjoy life---the good and the bad. Trust in the Lord…rest in His love…wait upon Him. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is the very thing you need to do…Sit back and enjoy the ride. It may not be easy or fun, but remember that the Captain of your raft is completely in control and directing your life where it needs to go. He loves you and is doing what is best for you. So love God and enjoy life…it will be an amazing ride!