Colossians 2:3 — The Ultimate Treasure Hunt

Everyone enjoys discovering something completely unexpected. However, the ultimate treasure hunt awaits both the young and the young at heart.

During the early fall one of my oldest granddaughters and I spent a day exploring the valley and lakes. Most of the leaves had already fallen from the now sparse branches, but this sun-filled autumn day was ours to share together. Only a few clouds dotted the dome of deep blue sky as the sun’s rays drenched our bodies and love filled our hearts, warming us inside and out.

Granddaughter “M” excels in treasure hunts. Reaching into the water, one by one, she pulled out interesting pebbles and small seashells smoothed by the rhythm of wind and waves. Then she handed me a oversized molar, blackened with age. We guessed from a large bovine or perhaps … a bison from long years past. Before long she found another. Then she discovered a bone partially buried in the eroded bank of the lake. And then another! What a find!

Without her seeking heart and inquisitive nature, I honestly would have missed it all. While she searched and explored, I lounged contented on the shore only half-heartedly venturing into the water beside her from time to time. Gazing upon the vast landscape of water and sky, I rested peacefully in the shared moment — the delight of being together had spilled over coloring our day with love and laughter.

Seekers are a rare and beautiful breed of humanity. They live quietly and gently among us, uncovering and lavishly sharing their unearthed treasures to all.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
Matthew 13:44

Ultimate Treasure

Of course, the ultimate treasure, Jesus Christ, cannot be found on land or sea among this world’s contents. But just like my granddaughter, the Holy Spirit comes along beside us exposing one spiritual treasure after another, revealing to us the beauty, majesty, and wonder found in Jesus. Some are clearly visible; others require a little more effort.

“But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters].”
1 Corinthians 2:14 AMP

No treasure is more worth seeking than God, Himself, and His presence. Even as half-hearted seekers, God reaches toward our feeble efforts with open hands displaying the beauty of His presence and the wonder of His grace. He welcomes us ever deeper into a life overflowing with the ultimate treasure of Himself.

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.”
Proverbs 8:17

A Seekers Reward

Wisdom asks tough questions before exposing honest answers. I may not always know what I’m seeking until I consider where I invest the most time, energy, and resources. Or, worse yet, the opposite may hold true. I may settle for nothing more than my present or past experiences with God, falsely believing there is nothing more.

In North American we have a term for this “nothing” — lollygag. It means to spend time aimlessly, to dawdle, or be idle. We can be as guilty of lollygagging concerning spiritual things as with natural things. Days turn into weeks. Weeks melt into months. Months evaporate into years. Years of aimless dawdling, instead of fervent seeking, turn into a lifetime of futile waste.

I lollygagged on the beach last fall while my granddaughter plunged into the day with a searching heart. I came home with memories and a few pictures. She came home with all that plus a sack full of unearthed treasures for future enjoyment.

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.”
Psalm 105:4

The psalmist implies a continuous heart posture and action of diligently searching and seeking after God. The two separate Hebrew words found in this verse mean to “tread, frequent, follow, seek, ask, to strive after, to search out and to worship.” Hardly the definition of lollygaggers!

The Mystery

Paul describes the riches of the spiritual treasure awaiting us.

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Colossians 2:2-3

Good news! There is still hope for even us natural lollygaggers! Paul had already discovered the treasures in Christ. He faithfully shared this ultimate treasure with everyone with even half an ear to listen, enticing them to step into the waters with the Holy Spirit to see and learn for themselves. In the discovery comes the promise of

• encouragement in heart
• unity in love
• the “full riches” of complete understanding
• knowing the mysteries of God — Jesus Christ
• “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

WOW!!! Full riches! Complete understanding! All the treasures! Not just some or a little but all!

Is this not what we long after? Think of living this way every day, all day! We may sing the chorus, “Just give me Jesus!” while simultaneously lollygagging on the beach of complacency and missing out on the “full riches” of what God has for us in Jesus.

Through Him only we find the ultimate treasure being poured into our empty sacks of need and desire — a mystery divinely placed before us. God loves seekers. Age holds no restrictions. Talent merits nothing. All who seek Him will find more than they could imagine.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I choose today to step off the shores of lollygagging and into the Holy Spirit stirred waters of discovering You. I accept Your invitation and receive Your promise that all those who seek You will find You. Whether the waters are deep or shallow, I set my heart to seek only You. Whether the treasure of You lays fully exposed or it takes some digging on my part, I turn my intensions toward knowing the mystery of all You are.
The voids in my life reveal the deeper voids of my heart. I need the encouragement of heart and the unity of Your divine love. I confess that I lack the “full riches” of complete understanding available through You.
Oh, the vastness of You, Lord! Oh, the greatness of Your goodness toward me and others! Your Word is truth. In You, alone, is ALL the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Today, You speak to my heart, inviting me to walk with You in greater intimacy and understanding. I respond to Your invitation to draw close, tuning my ear to listen, and my heart to move at the pace of Your grace.
I give You my “Yes,” as I shake off levels of complacency and indifference. May this season of my life be marked by the adventure of discovering You. Just like my granddaughter, may I eagerly share those discoveries with others, igniting in them a greater desire to know You — not just in head knowledge but in every part of their lives. May Your presence fill and flood us with pure joy and child-like anticipation. And, Lord, may the throng of true God-seekers and worshipers increase daily.

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Another helpful blog!
Show Me Your Glory — The Desire to Know God

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