Jan. 21, 2018

It's Already There!

It seems the more I seek to pursue the Spiritual aspect of Truth the more I am baffled by Truth being hidden in plain sight. It’s like staring at an object for a long time only to recognize something about the object that did not present itself at first.  Only now after taking the time to study the object did something unexpected surface and register in my awareness. Even with this bit of awareness, it seems that continuing to stare at the object surfaces increasingly more hidden truths. I think that may be the surprising aspect of Truth most, if not all of us, may not have considered. In other words, when one discovers some aspect of truth the desire is to share that truth with others. I have experienced this as I’m sure you have too. The problem comes when we think the truth we have discovered is in an of itself complete. We tend to think and feel that what we have discovered can’t be enlarged upon. 

As I have reminisced over my life’s journey, I can recall being taught all sorts of things that if I am honest were only glimpse of truth but they were not complete. I hope I am proceeding to a place of understanding that indicates Truth cannot be controlled nor manipulated. Truth is either Truth or its not. Just as sure as I attempt to make glimpses of truth the final word, the more I fall into the trap of incomplete truth. Allow me to offer an example. In the book of Matthew of the New Testament chapter 13 and verse 44 there is recorded a comparison made by Jesus of the Kingdom of heaven. In the NKJV it says, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” 

I have heard all kinds of suggestions as to what the treasure represented, what the field represented, who the man was who discovered the treasure, how he discovered the treasure, why he hid the treasure and what he sold in order to purchase the field. My reflection today centers around what you and I have the privilege of beholding if we just take the time to continue staring at this comparison. What I wish to share is only what I am presently beholding. My anticipation is that at some future date I may discover additional truths about this comparison that have yet to surface. This means that anything and everything communicated about this comparison continues to get deeper and wider.

As I considered the word “treasure” I thought about the passage in II Corinthians 4:6&7 where the Apostle Paul indicates that the Light we have within our hearts comes from the glory of God reflected in the face of Jesus Christ and this treasure God placed within earthen vessels or perhaps better stated, you and me. One question that comes to my mind is, when was the treasure first placed? The comparison in Matthew chapter 13 is offering what the kingdom of heaven is like! Its like a man finding a treasure in a field. The idea of a “treasure” seems to indicate something very valuable. If the kingdom of heaven is very valuable and God placed such a treasure within each of us then what does that say about you and me? What do you own presently that you consider to be a treasure? Where do you keep such valuables? Do you just place them anywhere? Was the man in our comparison out treasure hunting? How did he know that what he found was indeed a treasure? What was it about what he found that let him know it was a treasure?

It is interesting to me that the one finding the treasure experiences “joy” in its discovery. He doesn’t seek to purchase the treasure. He seeks to purchase the field that holds the treasure. I go back to a question I posed earlier asking it in a different way. When did God place the Light within us? I would suggest that if God knew us before God formed us in our mother’s womb, Jeremiah 1:5, then perhaps our beginning began in the kingdom of heaven and the gift of God is the Light of His glory reflected in the face of Jesus Christ. If this is true then consider that the light of his glory was already there before we were birthed on this planet. God’s joy is giving and placing this treasure within each and everyone of us for the sole purpose of reflecting the Light. That would make us “the field” in the comparison.  

One other idea about the treasure already being present within us is the notion of the seed lying dormant in the soil. The seed has everything it needs in order to sprout and to grow except one thing. The seed waits for the rain to soak into the earth awakening the seed. The field did not know it contained the treasure. It took the man to bring attention to the value of the treasure and therefore the value of the field. We are very valuable to God and God has proven our value in Jesus Christ selling all that he possessed in order to purchase the field so we could continue to posses the treasure and reflect its Light to all. It occurs to me that such Truth is amazing and if such truth gets deeper and wider I look with anticipation to making additional discoveries. I believe this is our purpose and that is our joy and it was already there waiting to be discovered.