"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."
Matthew 5:6
The other day I surprised Nate and Finley by picking them up from daycare. I needed to make a stop before heading to their house.
As we were walking through the store I had promised them a prize. I finished up with what I needed and we were on our way to the checkout line and to find just the right prize for each of them. Excitement filled the air!
Nate immediately found his possession and we diligently picked a special one for Finley. Oh how she loved it. She held it and caressed it and couldn't take her eyes off of it. She was so happy to have her small, insignificant treasure in her hands.
As we waited in line she inspected her gift thoroughly. Holding it out and over her head for everyone to see. It is finally our turn to place our items on the counter to pay for them. Finley did not want to have any part of the process.
The young man behind the counter checked all of our items leaving hers for last. The whole time I was encouraging her that, "we have to give it to the nice man for just one second and then you can have it back". "We have to let it go so that then it can be yours forever".
She wasn't having it! She held on tightly! She grunted and groaned until finally I had to pry it out of her hands and no sooner was giving it back to her. Not without a total heart-broken, end-of-the-world melt down. But soon after followed by tears of joy and gladness to be reconciled with her object of affection.
You ask where I am going with this?
Well, this is exactly how we act with our earthly possessions. Is it not?
God is holding out His arms, reminding us of all He has in store for us. But we cannot quite let go of our items. Guilt over past sins, Unforgiveness toward a friend. A situation you cannot get over. Jealousy. Pride. The list can go on and on. Doesn't sound much like treasures, do they? But we've held onto them for so long they become a part of us. Our identity.
Just like that item Finley was not willing to give up, we are so inclined to be the same way.
God has so much more in-store for us. If we would just release the grip our hands have on the thing or things we hold onto so tightly and give it to Him then He will replace it with heavenly treasures. They will be ours forever! "for they shall be filled."
I love you & He loves you more!
Lord, show us what we hold onto that keeps us from knowing true treasure in You. Fill us with a curiosity to faithfully give it to You so that You can replace it with joy so divine. May we hunger and thirst for more of You. Amen.