Treasure Chest
When we were kids, the best part about going to the dentist was the treasure chest at the end of the visit. The dentist filled the box with gold-colored rings, jewelry, bright, colorful plastic jewels, spinning tops, toys, foam airplanes. The mouth-watering excitement of being able to choose a prize negated any pain from the appointment. It smoothed over the shame of not being a good brusher, flosser, or cavity haver. The crazy part of the whole thing was that, as a child, our entire focus was on the box. It made the struggle worth it.
Focus On The Treasure
Luke 12:34 says For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. When you focus on the good stuff – the things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, & praiseworthy, your mind and heart are changed. I experienced this on a very real level after my mother died. I was in a dark place, and one of the things I started doing was watching tv in the evenings to try to zone out. Unfortunately, the show that I got stuck on was Criminal Minds, which highlighted the darkest, most evil aspects of human nature in every episode. After a while, I realized that the constant diet of this negative stuff started to really impact me. So I stopped watching altogether. I readjusted my focus, and I started feeling a lot better.
X Marks The Spot
So, where do we find the treasure? The treasure is in the word. The treasure is in God’s creation. The very rocks cry out the existence and greatness of God. The path isn’t long; the path isn’t difficult – it’s between the pages of a book, in the warmth of the sun on your face, and the rustle of leaves in the wind. So, go out and find your treasure today!
40-Day Challenge: Day 31 Reading
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.