The Hidden Treasure
Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans
Friend to Friend
Romans 8:28 is a verse in the Bible that has been loved and despised by many who struggle with a difficult situation or mourn the loss of a loved one or dream. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
What does God really mean by “all things?” Most likely, it means all things – the good, the bad, and the ugly. In every dark circumstance of life, I believe that there is a nugget of gold, a hidden treasure, waiting to be discovered. However, for that to happen, we must get out of the dirt, push it aside, and look beneath the surface.
Is it easy? No. Is it messy? Usually. It is worth it? Always.
Many years after we had lost our baby, I was standing in the doorway of our son, Steven’s room observing him in a tangle of sheets and limbs. He was now sixteen-years-old, six feet tall, needed a shave, and sported a mass of shaggy thick brown hair.
“Lord,” I prayed, “you know how much I love children and how I always longed to be a mom. Your ways are higher than our ways and I know that You are my heavenly Father who knows what is best for me, but God, I need a nugget of gold today. I need You to show me a purpose behind this pain.”
Then, God’s Word washed over me.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
“Is that You Lord,” I asked.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The words breathed into me like a spring rain on parched ground, and for the first time in my life, I truly grasped the height, the depth, and the breadth of those familiar words.
See, I have a one and only son. I love many people, but there is no one…no one…that I love enough to sacrifice my only son. Yet, God loved me that much. He loved me enough to sacrifice His one and only Son in order to give me life. With tears streaming down my cheeks, I thanked God for helping me understand His great love – for giving me a living breathing picture indelibly impressed in my mind and on my heart. If that was the only purpose behind the years of infertility and loss of a child, then it was enough.
Has there been a trial or loss in your life? If so, I wonder if God has a valuable treasure hidden beneath the darkness? Today, pray that God will reveal the hidden treasure and rejoice in His unfathomable love.
Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I know that You can use every difficult situation in my life for good. I may not understand Your ways, but I trust Your wisdom. I may not see Your hand, but I trust Your heart. I pray that You will open my spiritual eyes to see the hidden treasure hidden beneath the darkness of today’s circumstances.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now it's Your Turn
How would you explain mining for gold to a child?
How is mining for gold much like looking for treasure in the dirt of life?
Has there been a difficult situation in your past that God has used for good? If so, what?
Are you willing to ask God to show you the hidden treasure?
For more on today’s topic see Your Scars Are Beautiful for God: Finding peace and purpose in the hurts of your past by Sharon Jaynes.
G.I.G.
Girlfriends in God, Inc.
Matthews,
Web site: www.girlfriendsingod.com
Email: info@girlfriendsingod.com
Originally published Wednesday, 06 December 2006.
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