Have you heard of the “Antiques Roadshow”? My hubby and I try to decide ahead of time if the item that is brought to the appraiser is valuable or not. More often than not, we get it wrong! Sometimes, it’s hard to determine the worth of something without knowing the creator’s name and history.
I had a dream a few weeks ago that I had somehow discovered a vase passed down from my mother. In my dream, I was sure that it was a vase from the time of the Ming Dynasty and it would be worth tens of thousands! As I try to remember the details of the dream, I also remember that the year 1948 was mentioned. Of course, that is many centuries later than the Ming Dynasty. But what significance does this year have regarding my mother and my family?
In my heart, I felt like the dream had a spiritual meaning. I began to trace the history of when Mom came to know Jesus and have a relationship with him. My siblings are significantly older than I am, so I questioned my sister. She was very young and does not recall that time accurately. We are sure it was close to 1948, but it could have been a couple of years later.
The heirloom passed down from my mother was not the inheritance of a Ming vase that would make me wealthy in the world’s eyes. But it was the passing down of a “mantle” of truth, prayer, service to God, and faithfulness through all the ups and downs of life. What a treasure!
II Corinthians 4:7 declares, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” In the verse prior, verse 6, it makes it clear what that treasure is; “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.”
How much greater to receive an inheritance of “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus” than to receive a piece of pottery that could be stolen, broken, or misplaced!
What are you doing with the treasure bequeathed to you? Maybe you did not have it handed down as a family heirloom, but you found this “pearl of great price” in your search. Whatever may be lost in pursuit of the kingdom of God is a small price to pay, considering the value of what is gained. Are there searching hearts around us that need direction and an introduction to the Creator?
Prayer: Jesus, help me share the message of the Gospel: Your death, burial, and resurrection. Guide me to someone longing for and seeking this treasure, not realizing it is found in You. Help me to pass on the precious heirloom of Your love, grace, and truth to everyone I meet. In Jesus name, Amen.
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