The following is a thought to consider for this Sunday's message:
In the parables of the hidden treasure, and Pearl of great value in Matthew 13:44-46, the protagonist goes to any measure to attain the treasure. What would it look like to "sell" everything to find the Kingdom of Heaven? What risks would you take?
I think I first must consider what is important to me. How does this work? Is there something "big" God wants from me so I'll get something "bigger?" Seems a bit greedy of me. I love my family, my job, my friends and yeah, my church community. I like my house and car and clothes. Would God ask me for these? If He did, would He do something to make it not so painful, or is that part of the sacrifice? Does it only count if it hurts? As I recall, doesn't the man who buys the field sell all his belongings with joy? Ah... he knows the return on his investment in advance.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 22 and newly graduated from college, I was so God-hungry, I abandoned my plans of further education, gave away all my belongings except my clothes, a backpack and about four religious books (one of them the Bible), and set out on a journey in search of someone — a person, a community — who could help me get to Spirit, Love and Truth. I depended on charity (for rides and shelter) as I traveled.
ReplyDeleteI was not thinking of the analogy to the parables; I was acting out of desperation. I never articulated the choice to myself, but it came down to: either find God or kill myself.
As it turned out, the journey took only a few months before I found myself grounded in a community several hundred miles from where I began, much cared for, and growing in the Spirit. Looking back on it from a distance of more than half a century, I'm glad I took that journey, and profoundly grateful for the fruits it bore!