Colossians 2: 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
2 Corinthians 4: 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
This past week I have spent my vacation pretty much locked within my own house with my own thoughts. Little did I realize what a treasure that was, a gift from God. Emotionally, physically I had been exhausted throughout this year. Frequently I was prone to beating myself up for not be more efficient, not getting everything done with greater speed, and not always representing Christ as fully as I wanted to. Aloneness (my own word as not in the dictionary) has been my shield; yet, at times my arch enemy as I am prone to be very harsh on myself. This week, I have had time to spend with God. I have not rushed to get anything else done nor beat myself up for being who I am (maybe at first I did-but by the end of the week; a peaceful acceptance and deep seated joy fills my soul.) I have slept a lot, listened to hymns of praise and just spent much of the time listening to God’s comforting voice. I am safe because God is my protector. The thieves that entered my home took a TV; but that is not my treasure. This stuff that we surround ourselves with is worthless. My treasure is the "the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This is the treasure of wisdom and knowledge of the mystery of God who is one and at the same time three (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The treasure of how God (the son who Himself is God) could come to earth and pay the penalty for our sins taking on the fullness of God’s wrath against us (a wrath that I perhaps felt only in tiny degree in comparison this week toward my invaders) and in service and obedience, humbly die on a cross that I might become a daughter of God and heir of His love, companionship, and Joy. This great treasure He placed in earthen vessels. Vessels with no particular beauty of their own, fragile and easily broken or chipped, that the excellency of the power may be of God and I can never claim it as mine. Amazingly, I have not had any fear; for I know who is my protector. Neither have I gone to bed without having my house secured to the maximum possible and intend to add more security as soon as my alarm company and a landscaper come to review things. Listen very closely to this incredible hymn and whatever trial you face today ask God to "Let the treasure of the trial form within me as I go"