It’s hard to believe that summer is already drawing to a close! While I am not necessarily relishing the early wake up time that comes with the start of school, I am looking forward to a more structured schedule. This summer, we have been pretty lax with regard to a daily routine! There are a few things, though, that we have tried to make time for most days. One of these is a short devotion and prayer time.
My eight-year-old son has a few simple devotionals that we enjoy going through together. This week, we were reading from his Indescribable book, and it was talking about a planet that scientists have discovered from another solar system called 55 Cancri e. According to data regarding the carbon monoxide to oxygen ratio that theoretically exists on this planet, it is believed that it could be completely covered in diamonds! Can you imagine?
The Treasure
As stunning and glorious as that seems, we possess a treasure of far greater worth. Second Corinthians 4:6-7a says this:
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels...
We have this treasure. What is the treasure? It is the knowledge of God revealed in Jesus Christ; it is the light shining in a dark place. What a glory; what a precious salvation! Above all the riches that could be found in creation, even a planet completely made of diamonds, when we come to know Him, there is nothing more valuable. Truly, the only thing that is worthy to bridge the gap between our mortality and eternity is our salvation. All other riches pale in comparison.
Do Not Fear
When my son and I began to talk through the devotion, it really struck me that the salvation of our souls is the only truly precious possession we have that cannot be taken from us. What also came to mind were scriptures throughout the Word of God that urge us not to fear the external and temporary troubles of this life, but instead, to focus on the eternal (cf. Matt. 6:19-21, Matt. 10:28, John 14:1-3, etc.).
We live in a world
plagued by fear. This last year and a half has only manifested what
was already lying just below the surface for so many. People are
worried about the health and safety of their loved ones, their jobs,
their children. There are so many unknowns, and we want to know!
It’s so easy to lose
ourselves
in the frenzy.
But
wait. Breathe in, breathe out. What
did the scripture say?
We have this treasure, and
no one can take it away. We have this treasure,
and it will faithfully guide us from this life to the next. We
have this treasure; it provides
a peace that is beyond understanding. We have this
treasure, and no tragedy can
separate us from it. We have this treasure; it
is the only
steady point in a churning world.
I think we all need to be
reminded from time to time about what is most important; I know I do!
It’s so easy to get caught up in everything that we lose our focus.
We worry, we fret, we get stressed! And, yes, that’s just life. But
underlying it all needs to be the constant hum of a sure foundation
that anchors our souls. We have this treasure.
God’s Love
So, as we say goodbye to summer and begin the slow trek into fall, we can look forward with confidence! Remember the old song, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands? Well, He does! God’s got this, and God’s got us. No matter what comes our way, our eyes look up to the One who is faithful to keep us.
As the scripture says in Romans 8, there is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of God. We have this treasure, and the treasure will see us through.
