Treasures

It was 2 a.m.

Earlier that night, several other ministers and I were called to the home of a sweet little girl who battled severe heart disease. I had walked with this family for several years while in the midst of their own personal darkness. They became my family, and this little girl, Ava, not yet ten years old, was like one of my own. We knew her time was short. We prayed. We fasted. We believed she would get better, yet we stood with this little child at the gates of heaven.

Ava had long, curly blonde hair and big blue eyes — the kind of eyes that would melt your very soul. She was cheerful and bubbly on her good days, and, although her body was weak, her spirit was strong. She was the type of child who wanted everybody she knew to go to heaven. She would often ask me about people we knew — friends and neighbors — "Do you think they really know Jesus, Miss Robin? We need to tell them about Him."

I was a regular in Ava's home. She would call me night or day, and I would drop everything and go to her. I believed that God was going to heal this little one, even until the very moment she took her last breath. We were all there that night: her mom, dad, two other friends, and me. It had been our ritual, night after night, to stop by Ava's home, gather around her bed, and pray. That night was no different, except it would be our last.

That night, before her death, Ava went around the room and said, "I love you, Miss Robin. I love you, Miss Melanie. I love you, Pastor John. I love you, Momma. I love you, Daddy. I love you, Jesus." This, too, was Ava's nightly ritual. But now, Ava's breathing had become intensely laborious. With bated breath, we watched every inhale and exhale. Her little body couldn't take much more. The hospice nurse had left, reluctantly, knowing that it was just a matter of time. Mom and Dad wanted privacy with their sweet, little child but had asked the prayer ministers to stay. As we cried out to Jesus, one of the prayer ministers noticed Ava's body getting warm; one last glimmer of hope, at least we thought. Ava was somewhat lucid and asked her momma if she could go with her. Ava's mom told her she could not, but that Jesus would be there with her when she left. He was.

Gates of Heaven

As Ava took her last breath, her mom fell out cold; her body stretched out over her little girl's body. We could not wake her for several moments. I've often wondered if God let her walk with Ava to the gates of heaven. Of course, there is no biblical basis for that, just a sweet thought in my own mind, because I know how kind and loving God is. I know that when you close your eyes here on earth, you will open them there in the presence of Jesus. When Ava's mom came to, Ava was gone. At that very moment, I fell off the bed and onto the floor. My face was plunged into the carpet, silent. I could hardly breathe. The tangible presence of God was so overwhelming to me that I knew I could not get up off the floor. It was weighty. It was holy. It was undeniable. God's glory fell, and in that moment, I experienced the infinite perfections of His grace and mercy. Love covered us like a blanket — the entire room and everyone in it. No one said a word. It was just penetratingly silent. He had come for one of His own, and of that I am sure.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM: Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

(Psalm 116:15 KJV)

As I look back at that tremendous experience, several things come to mind. God does not leave us on our own but, instead, is there to walk with us through our own personal darkness. He is always working behind the scenes. His power and His love are tangible, and His plans will go forth. That night, I learned a lot about life and death. I learned about faith and fear. I learned that a walk with God is a walk in the light, even when we are in the midst of utter darkness.

The Gold Box

While my family visited my husband's brother and his family, we sat in the kitchen reminiscing about the past, with some especially fond remembrances of my husband's favorite aunt, Virginia, who had recently passed. Though married and a retired professional at the time of her death, she had been a nun for most of her adult life. She was a quiet, humble woman who lived in a small townhome near the outer suburbs of Philadelphia. She was not a flashy person in her appearance but rather plain and simple, certainly a no-bling kind of lady.

My mother-in-law requested that she speak with me privately. While standing in the back bedroom, she reached into her purse, pulled out a lovely gold box, and placed it in my hand. "This is for you," she said. I opened it, and inside was a beautifully jeweled slide bracelet with twenty-one precious and semiprecious stones. The box contained a slip of paper with my name handwritten on it from dear Aunt Virginia. That incredibly thoughtful gift was meant especially for me. As tears streamed down my face, I became overwhelmed with a sense of love and joy, not because of the actual value of the gemstones, but because of the spirit behind the gift. The fact that she had taken the time to personally write my name on this gift and assign it to me, long before she knew she would be leaving this world, was astounding. This bracelet was one of her most treasured possessions, and she so graciously decided to leave it for me.

Several years ago, I faced my own mortality. Little did I know at the time that I would be given a death sentence with no chance of recovery. My doctors shared the possibility of four dire diseases, subsequently took three off the table, and left the worst scenario. I was told that the disease I potentially had would kill me within two years. There was no cure and there was no treatment. For one year, I waited to die. It was during this first year that I had to deal with many internal struggles related to the importance of life and the importance of death. Several questions continually came to mind: Am I significant? Has my life had any real value? Have I accomplished all the Lord has asked of me? How am I going to get through this? I realized that I had more questions than answers. I began to look fervently at the lessons I had gleaned from past experiences with others who had gone through tragedy or life-challenging situations. What did I really believe? I had to start in my own heart.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Treasures of Heavenly Value

I began to look inward. So let's start this journey together by looking for those treasures that are hidden inside. This is a time when you will go through serious introspection. Each of us has treasures that have been locked away inside, and we just have to discover them so that they can be adequately shared with others.

Let's first understand some principles regarding treasures: Treasures are often concealed in the dark, they are usually hidden from plain view, they must be mined or sought after, and they often reflect light or are made of a highly reflective material. Rarely are they displayed out in the open. Treasures are accessed by those willing to work for them and those willing to pay the price to seek after them. It takes time to unearth hidden treasures. It takes time, patience, and a desire.

When you understand who you are in Christ and what is truly inside of you, you will be able to handle the trials, struggles, and difficulties that may be ahead of you. Whatever your journey might be right now, be well aware that God has hidden treasures all along the way. We just have to see them and have a desire to find them. Jesus commanded His disciples to not lay up treasures on earth, which would just rot away, but rather to lay up treasures in heaven. So, if true treasures are not found in earthly possessions, where are they found?

Seven Keys to Unlocking Hidden Treasures

How do we find what is hidden within? Let's look into our treasure chest, the Word of God, to guide us. It is the most valuable source to discover real eternal treasures. Think with me about the story of Ruth found in the Bible. The Book of Ruth was written during the period of Judges, possibly between 1350 BC and 1100 BC. The land of Judah was in a time of spiritual confusion and compromise, and apostasy was the word of the day. From this setting, there is a message for us today that pertains to God's sufficiency, His grace, His mercy, and our ability to see Him at work in the midst of our trials.

What starts out to be a story of pain, loss, famine, death, and despair, quickly becomes a story of protection, provision, redemption, and restoration. The characters are exemplary in portraying the depth of loyalty, commitment, and servanthood that should mirror the life and walk of every dedicated believer. Naomi lost her husband and two sons and became so bitter that she changed her name from Naomi, which means "pleasant, delightful," to Mara, which means "bitter." Throughout the story, Naomi struggled to see God at work, but He was. Ruth, her daughter-in-law, returned with her to her homeland, was discovered by a rich nobleman named Boaz, ultimately marrying him and giving Naomi a grandson that she thought she would never have. The child that was born was in the lineage of King David, ultimately leading to Jesus. God had the big picture.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM: Where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16 WEB)

Looking at Ruth's life, we see that she was widowed, poor, and struggling, yet she found her treasure working in a corner of a field, which had been reserved for those in great poverty. Had she not been willing to go with Naomi and work in the field, she would have missed Boaz, one of her greatest treasures.

I want to share with you some keys that I devised to help others find the treasures hidden within them.

Key #1: To find the treasures within takes work, dedication, and loyalty to the cause at hand, regardless of your circumstances.

Ruth was a poor young widow who was determined to stay with her mother-in-law through thick and thin. They had no future, as far as they could see, but in reality, they did. Naomi's wisdom and guidance helped Ruth find the new home she so desperately desired and the new family to fulfill her life. Naomi thought she had nothing to give.

Do you remember the account of Esther found in the Bible? Esther was a beautiful young peasant girl from humble beginnings, orphaned by the death of both parents, raised by her uncle, Mordecai, and called to change the fate of a nation. Her courage and passion resounded in her willingness and obedience to lay down her life for the sake of her people. Her life had purpose. Esther had a hidden treasure, but she had to dig deep for it to be brought out in the fullness of time.

What is stored deeply in your soul?

Are there decisions that can be made now that will determine the fate of your own family?

One of Esther's hidden treasures was her Jewish roots, a secret that could have cost Esther her life had it been known by others. Esther, through the process of her training under Mordecai, gained knowledge and understanding of what was really important. Esther knew it was not her position or beauty. She knew it was not the luxury of the king's palace. She knew it was not the honor due her. Esther knew the most important thing was the salvation of God's people. She was willing to risk her own life to save the lives of the people she loved. What was at risk was the annihilation of an entire nation, the destruction of God's chosen people ... His treasured possessions.

Key #2: Value God and what He values.

Do you know what God values? Have you aligned your desires with His desires? Esther had to make an exchange. Her hidden Jewish identity had to be exposed, even at the potential of losing her life, so that her godly identity could come into being. The divine destiny of God relied upon Esther's understanding of her own hidden treasures.

Do you see yourself as God sees you? Do you know your true identity in Christ?

Key #3: Every eternal treasure found will require sacrifice.

Abraham, the father of nations, found his treasure in sacrifice. Abraham entered into a covenant with God. God said to Abraham, "As for Me, behold, My covenant with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations" (Genesis 17:4). An everlasting covenant was established that could not be broken. It was not reliant on man. It was a divine agreement that would be perpetually acknowledged because it was grounded solely in the sovereign will of God. However, there would be a cost, and the price was high. Read the full account in Genesis 22:9-19. Had Abraham not been willing to sacrifice his very dream, his own blood, his future, he would not have inherited nations. The promised inheritance came through his children. He had to let go and sacrifice his own dream to obtain God's best, God's plan for him, and God's direction. Abraham knew the voice of God. Abraham knew God as his sure foundation. He knew God as the God who would provide.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM: He said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." (Genesis 22:12)

Are you holding on to something that you must let go? Are you holding on to your future as if it were in your control? Is it time to lay your most treasured possessions — your dreams, your plans, and your goals — on the altar of sacrifice? Hard to do, I know, but there are eternal treasures that await you when you lay down your plans and follow after God's plan.

Key #4: God is our sure foundation, and obedience and the fear of the Lord are essential.

Every great hero, man or woman of faith, moved under the direction of God, even when things did not make sense in the natural. Every one of them obeyed, even if it meant the sacrifice of their life or the lives of their loved ones. Every great man or woman of God recognized God's voice and chose to follow, even if it meant separation from the treasures they so deservedly had in store.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM: There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of Yahweh is your treasure. (Isaiah 33:6 WEB)

When going through hardships, you need God's grace and mercy to get you through. You need the comfort of His Spirit. You need the strength of His love. You need the gift of His forgiveness. Is He your strong foundation? Have you found your true identity in Him?

NUGGETS OF WISDOM: If you cry out to know right from wrong, and lift your voice for understanding; if you look for her as silver, and look for her as hidden riches; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find what is known of God. (Proverbs 2:3-5 NLV)

Key # 5: You will have to give up what is rightly yours to obtain what the Lord has in store for your future.

Jesus gave up worldly rule to gain eternal rule. Esther gave up her natural birthright to find her spiritual birthright. Abraham gave up his only son to gain sons of all nations. Now, let's look at what Moses had to give up. The Bible says, "Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: 'Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live'" (Exodus 1:22 NIV). The Bible tells us that Moses was no ordinary child. His mother saw him as a fine boy because she recognized the greatness within him. She hid him in a basket — a treasure waiting to be found. Pharaoh's daughter took him as her own child. He was educated in the wisdom of the Egyptians and, according to Acts 7:22, was powerful in speech and action. His future was dependent on someone finding the hidden treasure, but Moses would have to find his own treasures hidden within.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM: Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him. (Exodus 2:3-4)

What were those treasures hidden within Moses? Why was he so special? What made God decide to choose him to be the greatest deliverer of all times? What did Moses have to give up to find his hidden treasures? Moses gave up all the riches of Pharaoh.

There was a point of decision, a point in time, when Moses chose to look forward to his spiritual rewards, leaving behind what was rightfully his while exchanging his natural inheritance for his spiritual inheritance. Not only did Moses give up great possessions, but he also determined to walk faithfully forward with God.