My Treasure Is Worth More Than the Garden
I recently spent time sharing how some critters ate my plants right out of the garden. The sheer fact that I bring it up again shows just how upset this left me. All of my hard work was gone in the blink of an eye.
My frustration does ease more by the moment. Just hoping I can salvage what’s left. And how this animal hasn’t touched my mom’s plants, I have no idea. Hers are located MAYBE 200 yards from mine. NOT fenced. IN A POT WIDE OPEN! I mean, really? Mine were fenced and protected. Or so I thought.
My husband reminded me of a spiritual parallel during all of this chaos. He’s always been a sense of calm in my life, helping me stay grounded and focused. It was a reminder about where I am putting my focus, and who/what gets my attention.
Jesus often spoke in parables or short stories to connect with his audience. He provided nuggets of wisdom that hopefully his followers would remember and share with others. The one I was reminded of is found in the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 6:19-24 NIV
“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.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
When our time on earth comes to an end, we cannot take anything with us. No material asset will be enough to carry us through. The things we get so caught up about at times on this earth, will not matter in eternity.
We are told in Scripture that things can be broken, stolen, or damaged. The enemy still plays a solid game and his biggest want is to destroy Christians. Those who love Jesus and those who are trying to live a life that teaches others about Jesus, too.
I may enjoy gardening and growing vegetables but I cannot take them to Heaven with me. Though I was annoyed by the circumstance, it was not life or death. My shift in perspective was a humbling pill to swallow. (Gulp)
I don’t know about you but I want to live my moments for Jesus. I want it to be obvious that I’m striving for Heaven and I want to take as many people with me as I can. I want to persevere in faith, even when it seems the easy thing to do would be to give up.
Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”
