Trash or Treasure?
Hi Faith Family,
Praying you are healthy and in good spirits today,
I am happy today. I just replaced my lawnmower. When my family moved to Idaho in 1998, I didn’t have much in the way of lawn care equipment—we had only lived in apartments up to that point. So, that first week I headed off to SaversÒ, a popular Boise second-hand store. In front, they had several used lawn mowers from which to choose. Although the body was an off-brand and the throttle was roached, I decided to purchase the mower with the Briggs and Stratton motor (Milwaukee made, I was aware of the excellent quality).
After priming, it fired up with the first pull virtually every time for 13 years. Until last week. After a series of unfortunate events, the mower was D-U-N, done. I headed over to Stan’s Mowers in Meridian; he had sold most of his mowers over the weekend, but had one left with a 4.5 Briggs and Stratton motor. He wanted $120 for it. I thought about it, but decided to head back to Savers. Another second hand store was on the way, so I took a look—sure enough—they had two mowers, each with a Briggs motor. One had a price tag for $30, the other had no tag. Although the throttle was roached, and the rear wheel was more wobbly than Capt. Jack Sparrow, I gladly paid the $17.99 because after priming, the Briggs and Stratton motor fired up nicely. I can’t wait to mow my lawn.
The sad two-cycle story will continue with another trip to pick up another Briggs and Stratton on my next lawn mower someday. Use, time, and the elements will eventually get to my mower and I’ll have to replace it. Good thing we all have a proper view of our power lawn care equipment, right? I mean, I like my mower; I don’t love it. My mower is not my treasure.
What a helpful exercise—to be aware of what is your treasure by becoming more aware of what is not. Jesus wasn’t really talking about Briggs and Stratton engines, but he might as well have been when he taught:
"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.” (Mt. 6)
Perhaps you, like me, have misevaluated what is of true, significant value. Too often our evaluation has given evidence to the selfish sinfulness in which we were born and with which we will struggle until our tongues wag no more. Sin is serious. Sin is awful. Sin is damning.
For said sin the Savior surrendered himself. Perhaps this week of the year more than any other, we come face to beaten face with what is our treasure, and how it is that it became ours. The “new commandment” Jesus shared with his disciples on Maundy Thursday, that we are to love one another, as he has loved us. The tremendous gift of the Lord’s Supper, established in love by the Savior for strengthening our faith because he knows how rough life can be. We prepare to consider the Friday we call “Good,” flooded with abuse of every stripe for the Savior we see also as our Suffering Servant, bearing our guilt to its bitter conclusion. Our Treasure becomes clearer in the light of the first Easter Day.
Let the light of Easter fill your heart, mind, and soul with joyful peace that overflows in your heart. You are empowered to be absolutely confident that you are loved by God, you are right with God, and you have an important one-person role to play in God’s Grand Mission To Reveal True Treasure to the World. God be with you these next few days filled with significance as we recall all that Jesus did to secure your treasure of sins forgiven, real peace, and your heavenly home. In fact, Jesus is your Priceless Treasure. God bless your Holy Week and Celebration of the Resurrection.
Prayer Idea: Ask God for a deeper understanding and appreciation of his suffering, death, and resurrection for you and the people you treasure. Ask God to open your heart in generously supporting the outreach of the Gospel with your earthly treasures. Praise God for opening your eyes to see that Jesus is your Priceless Treasure.
Blessing on your Holy Week!
--Pastor Dan