Mrs. Sherman’s Treasures (#362 of 365+)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves
do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Joni’s friend, a ninety-one year old woman named Mrs. Sherman, gave up and gave away a lifetime of belongings when she and her chronically ill husband needed to move into an assisted living center. Their unit was a tiny place; there simply wasn’t enough room for all their furniture, pictures, knick-knacks, etc. It must have been so difficult for Mr. and Mrs. Sherman to sell their beloved farm and make only a few selections from all their earthly possessions that held over half a century of memories. But Mrs. Sherman said she knew the time had arrived to move on and one day it would be time for them to move on again to another stage of life—when they would leave everything behind to finally meet God face to face.

Somehow we Americans tend to allow our possessions—those items we possess—to “possess” us. We’re obsessed with ownership. The desire to acquire overwhelms us to the point of exhaustion. As we dig ourselves deeper and deeper into debt, we stack those worthless Jenga blocks (material goods) as high as we can for all to see. History teaches us that after enough time passes everything eventually topples over. All we’ll have left is a life in ruins... unless we planned for eternity.

I know that sounds a little negative, but it’s only in light of the truth that there isn’t anything that could possibly compare to the exquisite beauty and eternal worth of knowing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Every day of my life I want to make sure I release whatever thing is preventing me from getting a firm grip with both hands (so to speak) on the abundant life that God meant for me to live and to enjoy. Absolutely nothing else is worth a second thought.

“GOD is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness” (Psalm 145:3 MSG)

Lord Jesus, help me not to be tethered in any way to this world. Even when my life is full of blessings and belongings may my anchor be set deeply in you alone. You are my life. You are my treasure of exceeding worth. Thank you for being gracious to me, a sinner, and going after me as if I was a pearl of great price. Thank you for seeking me out as if I was your lost coin or your lost lamb. Thank you for not giving up on me. You brought me safely into your kingdom and I’ll never be able to praise you enough for it. Amen.