What Do You Have?

Matthew 6:19-21 – Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (ESV)

In 2013, my husband and I retired and bought a two-and-a-half-storey brick house in Durham, Ontario, Canada. Our seven-year-old granddaughter said, "Grandma, it looks like a haunted house." It did. But the real estate agent called it "a grand old lady in need of being grand again". The "old lady" is in her glory now, having been restored, and I love living in her. It is God's gift. A while ago, I was pondering our age and wondering how much longer we would be able to keep living here. I was talking to the Lord and was not surprised to hear a word from Him. It was a question: "What do you have now that you will not one day lose?" I was stunned! "Yes, Lord," I replied. It was a deep question, and I have been thinking about it ever since.

What do I have now that I will not one day lose? It could be a depressing answer: everything! My husband suggested faith, but I said, "When we die, we won't need faith, because we will have what we hope for. So, what, then? My relationship with God! I suddenly realized how precious that is, and I was ashamed at how little time that I had really invested in it. How amazing it is that I can lose everything and still have everything that I need, because in Him is my strength, my supply. How liberating, especially because I am in a time of loss: my mobility, my independence, my strength, and the activities that I enjoy — although I am hoping that surgery will restore most of those things. I was managing. And then, my laptop crashed with no way to recover the photos and files. So much of my life was gone in a flash. I felt crushed. It was the last straw!

Then, that word triggered a Word: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair." (2 Corinthians 4:8 ESV). Yes! How blessed that we are to have such a loving heavenly Father Who embraces us in our struggles and comforts our sorrows. Then He reminded me about treasures: the other things that we won't lose that are stored up in heaven for us. So, I am comforted! How great is our God! The things that I have lost are trifles compared to what I have gained through Him!

If you are in a period of loss or of having to let go, may these words encourage you: Earthly things are precious but godly things are eternal. Reflect on what you have now that you will not one day lose. Have you stored up treasures in heaven? It is not too late to start, or to add to what is there. Pray with me:

Prayer: Lord God, my Father, thank You for calling me Your child and for supplying all my need. Thank You for the treasures that I have with You and in You. May I yet add to those treasures today and every day. Glory be to You, O Lord most high. Amen and Amen!