The Treasure Within

Jan 11

I set my glasses down next to my bed. It joins its usual companions, my Bible, devotional, hand lotion, supplements, glass of water.

The only difference today is they sit on a cardboard box instead of a wood table.

We have moved out of state and have yet to return to collect the last of our belongings, including a bedside table.

Whether a dirt floor or an expensive one-of-a-kind piece of furniture these items still fulfill their purpose no matter what they are sitting on.

I thought about those of us who belong to the Body of Christ. No matter where God has placed us, we are to live our Christian life in the power of the Spirit.

Whether placed in a palace or the slums, the suburbs or the country, our goal is to be obedient and fulfill our purpose by joining God in His work and drawing others to His Kingdom.

Fortunately, we don’t have to do this on our own. Psalm 57:2 says He fulfills His purpose for us.

Stuck

There are times we may feel stuck, as if we are in the wrong place.

We try to get a new job, move to a new place, jump start a business.

These are all good things. There is nothing wrong with wanting to grow and change. But we can become frustrated because it seems God is not bothering to respond.

But sometimes God is not done fulfilling our purpose where we are.

Whether we are basking in the sunshine on a mountaintop or in the shadow of a valley God can use us.

It may not seem pleasant at the time, and sometimes we may never know why, but if God has not moved us , He is using us.

I look at the cardboard box next to my bed. Not aesthetically appealing but useful.

The book of Isaiah tells us Jesus had no beauty that we should desire Him (53:2).

We can relate and are drawn to Him because He didn’t look like a movie star with perfect hair, teeth, and wardrobe.

Sometimes when we look close enough at the plain things in life - the seemingly boring or mundane & routine - we are surprised inside those nondescript rocks lies a breath-taking geode.

The cardboard box sits unassumingly next to my bed. Nothing would draw you to it. But inside are my things. Nothing extravagant or priceless, but things that mean something to me.

Useful things – things I want to keep, may need some day, and certainly don’t want to repurchase.

It can be like that in our walk with God.

We feel like we’re not a star player – that what we are doing or where we are is useless and boring.

That’s when we need to dig deep and ask the Lord what He has for us in this phase – in this place. To ask Him to encourage us with a glimpse – a glimmer – of His plan and purpose in the now.

I think the Lord loves it when we look to Him for love and comfort. Isaiah 55:8 reminds us our thoughts and ways are not God’s thoughts and way. Much the same way our human parents made loving decisions for us we didn’t understand at the time.

It’s not always easy not knowing the why or when, but God understands our frustration, knows what we need and waits with open arms to comfort us.

Like that bedside box, I won’t see the treasure and purpose in my current circumstances – the blessings in my everyday life - unless I make the effort to open it by:

👉Expressing gratitude

👉Reading my Bible

👉Praying

👉Reaching out to a friend

👉Helping a loved one or neighbor, etc.

May we remember God is here with us, Emmanuel. Even when we don’t see or feel Him, He is always here. And not just at Christmas.

We just need to open the box.

How does God encourage you when you feel stuck?

For more encouragement and inspiration check out these other posts:

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