It’s Worth The Weeds

The conditions are seldom perfect. The ideal situation is usually two or three steps away.  For many, that can be enough to keep you from moving forward and can lead to feelings of frustration. The truth is, you will likely never have everything in place nor have every obstacle removed from the path before you. So does that mean you must continue to wait in discouragement or that you have somehow messed things up for yourself? It all depends on your focus. If all you see are the weeds then you won’t see the value in the land, much less, the treasure in the field.

I’ve been reflecting much lately on Matthew Chapter 13. There is so much in that one chapter that you could mine it for years. I have specifically been drawn to The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matt 13:44). It’s only one verse, but I’ve thought about it for months. Jesus tells the story of a man who found a treasure in a field. He was so taken by the treasure that he went away, sold everything he had and bought the field in which the treasure laid. He bought the whole field. He didn’t negotiate with the owner to simply purchase the treasure. That would have certainly driven the price up and potentially caused the owner of the field to decide not to sell. We have no way of knowing if the owner of the field even knew about the treasure. All we know is this man saw something of tremendous value in the midst of an ordinary field. And he was willing to sell all he had and buy the ENTIRE field simply because of the value of the treasure within. I’ve been thinking of that field quite a bit. I bet it was full of weeds. (Click Here to Read My Post ‘Posses The Land: Yes It Takes Work)

There’s Gold In Them Hills

I like treasure. Getting a bunch of treasure sounds great to me! Buying a field full of weeds, rocks, snakes, and…. hard work, isn’t my idea of treasure. For this man, it was a package deal.  You buy the whole field, you get all the treasure buried within. I think I often am enamored with the idea of the treasure but see all the weeds in the field and wonder if it’s worth it? What about you? I think sometimes we don’t want a package deal. We want the good stuff, but without all the challenge, hard work and frustration of the field that comes with the treasure. We focus on the weeds and forget about the treasure. How silly and how sad? I’ve fallen for it 1,000 times.  But it doesn’t have to be 1,001. (Click Here to Read My Post Called ‘Don’t Fall In Love With Caterpillars)

That family member is a mess. There’s treasure in that field. Look at the treasure and the mess will be less impressive. That job is a nightmare. There’s treasure in that field. Have you lost sight of it? Living a life full of faith and hope in an invisible God is an invitation to ridicule and chastisement. There’s treasure in that field. So much treasure. When you clearly see the treasure you’re willing to buy it, the field around it and even forsake everything you currently have for the treasure on which your eyes are fixed. And it is completely worth the cost.  (Click Here To Read My Post Called ‘Wildflowers’)

Jesus saw the weeds in my life and yet still bought the field because He saw treasure. He saw that my field was a mess and yet He gave up heaven because of the great value He saw in me.  How can I do anything less? People are worth the weeds. The dreams and calling on your life are worth buying the whole field, challenges and all. In this life, you will seldom just get treasure.  But you will have many opportunities to buy ‘fields of gold’ if you can see through the weeds and realize the treasure in the field. Focus your gaze on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith and He will show you the treasure in the field. You’ll be amazed at the precious gems that are all around you. When you begin to consistently ‘see’ that way, you’ll always have the best view in town. (Click Here To Watch My Short Video on the ‘High Places’)

From the Bible

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. – Matthew 13:44 NIV 

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin[a]? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. – Matthew 10:29-31 NIV  

As your life was precious today in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he rescue me from all tribulation.” – I Samuel 26:24 NRSV