The secret things
belong to the LORD our God,
but the things revealed
belong to us and to our children forever,
that we may follow all
the words of this law.
Deuteronomy 29:29
Searching for treasures has
captivated the imaginations of all ages.
When I was a young teen, I read Treasure Island, immersed in the adventures of Jim Hawkins who searched for a hidden treasure chest.
Today, some individuals engage in geocaching, using GPS to find a hidden treasure, maybe in their vicinity, or perhaps farther afield.
In Oak Island off the coast of Nova Scotia, many people for more than two centuries have searched unsuccessfully for treasures that lie deep underground. Now recorded in the TV program, The Curse of Oak Island, researchers are probing with modern-day techniques. Their adventures hold the interest of both actual treasure hunters and those who watch the program.
Just as treasure hunters carefully study maps and clues, we as Christ followers have a role to play in searching for hidden treasures in the Word. As the writer of Proverbs said, “If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God” (2:3-5).
It involves more than simply reading through Scripture. It means faithfully digging deep, taking the thought or verse, reading it over and over, letting God speak to us, talking with Him about our day-to-day details and the larger visions of our concerns.
The Spirit gives us understanding and fresh insight. Familiar verses come to life. What we’ve read time and time before now lights up our understanding with something new—like a light that shines on a hidden treasure chest. As we pay attention to what the Lord reveals to us about our life, our concerns, and the greater needs around us, we’ll know we’ve hit gold. Treasure it like gold.
How does this apply to us as writers?
As God reveals new insights and deep things of the Spirit, He gives us treasures in what we are to write.
As you go to your notebook or computer, saturate your preparation and writing with prayer. Ask God to release the treasures that He wants you to convey to the world. Pray until you receive that fresh insight, that spark of inspiration, an “Aha! This is it!” moment, or the Spirit’s gentle whisper, or even a progression of ideas as the days go by. Then you will know your writing is what the Lord wants to say to the individuals who will read your work.
Dare to trust God! Dare to
find his Treasures from the Deep!
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I have vivid memories of those times in my life when I needed something so desperately from the Lord - a word, a phrase - that would hold me steady through a trying time. Searching, searching, to discover the 'aha' moment when I knew I had his answer to my heart's cry. And those blessed times when I learned to listen to that gentle nudge to dig deep and ponder his words, only to find that they were there for me, all prepared, when I needed them.
ReplyDeleteGood word today, Sandi, your post is a treasure itself. Thank you!
Thank you, Sandi, for this thoughtful post. Your words "Ask God to release the treasures that He wants you to convey to the world" speak of our dependence upon Him and of his willingness to reveal His words to us.
ReplyDeleteSo good Sandi!!!!
ReplyDelete