We recently traveled to the Florida, and one thing on my “to do” list was to comb the beach for shells. Big ones, small ones, broken ones, whole ones. All are treasures to me. Day one – great success. Day two – I decided to narrow my search – perfect shells, a sand dollar, and perhaps a shark’s tooth – as this beach was known for having lots of them.
Again – more success. I found a couple of small whelk shells – perfect and intricate. A piece of a sand dollar – works for me. But the shark’s tooth eluded me.
I began to get a little obsessed. The roaring of the incoming tide, the beauty of the sunrise, birds gliding inches above the water – footnotes to my fascination over a tooth. As I began to get a little irritated, I asked myself – what is the real treasure here? Where is my treasure?
I readjusted my focus and looked at the beauty of the shells and sand created by God, all pointing to His glory. Listened to the waves crash against the shore – tides and currents at work, reminders to me that He does indeed hold the whole world in his hands.
The real treasure had been around me all the time.
Holding remnants of God’s creatures is a sweet souvenir of His handiwork, but being a witness in real time to all he has done, is doing, and will do, and taking part in that – that’s the perfect prize.
I thought about my other treasures: teaching ESL to students on Wednesday night, helping them learn English as well as showing them Jesus. Volunteering at VBS or helping serve a lunch to kids and their parents in the summer. Praying for my friends and family. True treasures. Riches that last.
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. Matthew 6:20-21
Did I eventually find a shark’s tooth? No. Did I realize that I had so many more treasures to be thankful for? Absolutely. So, as you go about your day today, you may be searching for tokens and treasures, but remember to collect the riches that last.
