Hidden Treasure

2021 has gifted me with fresh ministry opportunies, new friendships, new vistas and new dreams. For one thing, I have been given the joy of conducting a number of chapel services this year at a lovely new Nursing Home in our neighbourhood. I love preparing for and conducting the services. I am inspired as I engage with the residents, as I listen to them and as I pray with them.

Whenever I visit the Home, I have to present a little card that indicates I've been cleared of the flu vaccine requirement. One day, I moved this card from my purse to a so called 'safe place' in my bag, so I could whisk it out with ease when needed. But two weeks later, when I visited the Retirement Home again, I was surprised to find my little card wasn't in its supposedly rightful place inside my purse! Wherever could it be? Hmmm!

Oh ... I had placed it in a 'safe' place hadn't I? Now ... where in my bag was this 'safe place'? A frantic search for it proved fruitless. I was relieved that in spite of its absence I was allowed to enter the chapel. When I returned home, I puzzled over its disappearance! Was it in this compartment? Or that one? But soon ... like the sun breaking through grey clouds, truth illumined my fuddled mind. I unzipped my bag and pulled out a little bible. I opened its pages and voila ... there it was - my little card. Ready to be retrieved. Hidden safely inside the Word.

There are other treasures waiting in my Bible, ready to be retrieved.

Truth.

Hides.

Inside.

The Word.

Of God!

What kind of truth is it? Is it a truth that shifts on the sands of time? Is it a truth that is right for me but not right for you? No! I believe there is one Truth. I believe that Truth has a face and a Name. I believe that Truth is not an abstract concept. I believe that Truth is a Person-Jesus, the Son of God who came into the world. He came so that you and I would find life and salvation through Him. Easter reminds us that the risen Christ burst through the gates of hell, bringing hope of eternal life to everyone who calls on Him. 

And it's a hope not just for eternity but for this life as well.

Sometimes life is hard - a rugged mountain path that twists and turns. It takes all our energy to stay on course. The journey winds its way through rough dark terrain. We gasp and shiver as  cold rains fall. We jump with fear as lightning flashes and thunder resounds. 

Sometimes we need reminding ... that we who believe, are called to walk by faith and not by sight. We forget that Truth resides deep inside us - a bright light that can never be snuffed out. Sometimes we need help to realise that what's unseen is truer than what we can see with our naked eyes, that the joys to come are akin to the resurrection joy that transformed the disciple's despair into unspeakable joy!

Is the path ahead filled with pot-holes? Are life's challenges surrounding you like an unruly mob of hooligans? Take courage, dear friend. On that first Good Friday, the disciples could only see, hear, feel, smell and taste death! But Truth was waiting to surprise them - a  colour-splashed rainbow shining bright after a day of grey clouds and rain! Life can sometimes be too hard and too painful, but don't forget ... Sunday is coming! One day the lame will walk and the blind will see. One day God will wipe away every tear from your eyes. One day we will see Him face to face!

So hang on to the hem of His garment today - because better days are on the horizon. The Bible says so and I know so! Easter changed the course of history as nothing else did. May the hope that Jesus came to bring, warm your heart and bring joy to your soul. May you run ahead secure in the knowledge that as sure as night follows day, the One who holds the stars in place, will continue to create a beautiful tapestry out of your life!

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-18

"For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Rev 7:17

Do feel free to respond to my blog. I will be happy to pray for you. God bless you richly this Easter and always.