The theme of our upcoming Poetry Jam is Where’s Your Heart, which was inspired by Matthew 6:19-21. The theme calls us to return to our one and true treasure, God, above all that we have prioritized over Him. Today’s reflection on our theme is by Phillip.
What does it mean for God to be your treasure? This is a question I’ve always pondered throughout my Christian walk. I’ve heard this phrase in different church services, worship songs, and talks from other believers: “God has to be your source, your everything, your treasure.” But what did that statement truly mean?
We’ve all heard that God is a jealous God, and that He wants nothing to come in between His relationship with us or our reverence for Him (Exodus 20:3). But what if we have let things set up in our lives as our gods, and God doesn’t hold the same value in our lives or hearts as He once did? And we have taken our eyes off the real prize, which is Christ Jesus.
A Search for Acceptance
Growing up, I cared a lot about how I looked, dressed, and how everyone perceived me. One could argue that this way of living and thinking consumed my whole life. But the main reason for all of this was that I wanted to be cool, loved by others, and most of all, accepted. Because of my bigger-than-most physical stature and stern-looking face, being accepted and liked by everyone became even more difficult. I first found God when I was 13. I knew the basics: don’t cuss, wait until marriage, don’t disrespect your parents, and most notably, just be nice and respectful to others. But in my early contact with God came a change in my being; that was more than just following commandments; it was God and His spirit within me, and what that entailed was my devotion solely to Him. Did I devote myself to Him solely with my entirety, 100% of the time? No. But I walked so you all could run.
The Cost of Acceptance
As I mentioned, my whole life was geared toward being accepted by others. I did that by buying all the clothes and shoes deemed cool and shaping my personality to match what the majority liked, even if it went against what God had called me to be. What that left me with was thousands of dollars in debt over the years, a home filled with a multitude of material items that left me feeling alone, failed attempts at being accepted, and an emptiness within me that I used earthly things to fill, but only someone in Heaven could ultimately fill, which was God.
Earthly Treasures vs Treasures in Heaven
Matthew 6:19-21 NIV reminds us that “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
In my failed attempts at acceptance, God showed me it was all meaningless, especially when life challenges or issues arise. What could those things or acceptance from man do (Galatians 1:10 KJV)? Nothing.
Ultimately, what I learned from this experience with God, and what I hope you all see, is that so many things can sneak into our lives and become our gods, taking the place that only God has the authority to take and be. Also, nothing on this green earth could replace or replicate God. So many things we may use to cope with life’s struggles or to help us get to a specific destination will always have their limits, so why not seek and align yourself with the One that is limitless (Matthew 7:24-26)? So ask yourselves, where is your treasure? In Heaven or on earth?
