Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and
rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever
your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
– Matthew 6:20-21
My family lives in a typical suburban
community nestled within the foothills of a small rural community.
Typically, not much takes place in our quiet neck of the woods, but
from late October thru the new year, it is bustling with jovial
visitors who come to see the lights. A few years ago one of our
neighbors around the block began putting his talents to constructing
a holiday light show for passers by to enjoy. It evolved over the
years to include both Halloween and Christmas as well as synchronized
music and lights within a network of over 15 homes. The display has
delighted hundreds every year and continues to grow in reputation, so
that folks from surrounding communities drive the distance to come
see the famous synchronized lights. What a beautiful gift to share
with others, delivering joy throughout the holidays!
It was two weeks before Christmas and
the neighborhood was abuzz and aglow. A typical school day morning, I
was rushing my daughter out to the car, but when I opened the passenger
door I noticed things looked out of place. Books in the backseat
pockets were strewn on the floor, the glove box was open with
contents lying haphazardly on the seat. Suspicious, I checked the
back hatch of the trunk. It was ajar. Items in the trunk were loosely
laying about and out of order. Only one item was stolen, of little
importance or value, but an icky feeling of violation sent shivers
through my body. Someone must have gotten into my car during the
evening as pedestrians strolled through the neighborhood to view the
lights. I had been robbed.
As I followed through the necessary steps with the Sheriff's Department, in speaking with the officer who
wrote up the incident, she asked me if there were any signs of forced
entry. I realized that the previous evening I had forgotten to lock
the car doors. Then she asked if I would like to report anything
stolen. I thought for a second about the value of the item taken and
realized it was of no importance. The officer handed me her card and
a report number for the incident.
Keep
your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of
life.
–
Proverbs 4:23 (WEB)
Reflecting on this simple violation, I
learned an important lesson about the heart. It is true as the
scripture says that we must count our trials as an opportunity to
produce joy (
James
1:2-3). Yet as I became aware, when basking in joy it is also an
opportunity for the enemy to prey on my bliss and catch me unaware.
By neglecting to lock my car the night before, I had given the
culprit an open door to take anything within my vehicle.
“The
thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they
may have life, and have it to the full.”
– John
10:10
Incidentally, it was a month later that
I began to write this post and all these truths would be tested
again. The morning began in strife with my little girl, then an outing that began as a joyous occasion ended in injury and disappointment,
and at the end of the day I was confronted with the choice to either
become bitter or to respond in grace. That evening I plopped down onto pillows on my bed and prayed. If I had begun the day in prayer,
guarding my heart against the wiles of the devil, maybe then I
wouldn't have been so surprised when the thief came knocking.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then
you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can
understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in
Christ Jesus.
-- Phillipians 4:6-7
Ann Voskamp writes about the fullest
lift by counting blessings because it is the focused gift of
gratitude which practices building a treasury of heavenly trust.
Investing in faith on the quiet days when nothing much seems to be
happening is the best time to begin counting graces and storing up
treasures from heaven. Because soon, the Bible teaches, we will have
troubles of various kinds, the storm will arrive, and the bank of our
heart will be overwhelmed. But with the investment of trust, you have
a storehouse of faith which God may use to multiply using His
resources and enable you to stand firm. This will keep you in His
peace no matter the storm.
Every time you affirm your
trust in Me, you put a coin into My treasury. Thus you build up
equity in preparation for days of trouble...The more you trust me the
more I empower you to do...Store up for yourself treasure in heaven,
through placing your trust in Me. This practice will keep you in My
Peace (Sarah Young, Jesus
Calling).
You
will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because
they trust in you.
– Isaiah
26:3
We will face seasons of trials in this
life. Job walked the journey of affliction to learn that God is very
big. Jesus told us not to be surprised by trials because He is with
us. James wrote about considering our trials an opportunity for great
joy. Therefore guard your heart. Don't give the devil an open door to
come in and steal your joy. Count daily graces so that on the day of
the storm you will be ready to stand firm. Fill the storehouse of
your heart with the grace that God supplies and then let it overflow
into the lives of others.
And
this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from
his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
–
Phillipians 4:19
