The Prize Heaven Pursued
Well, hush my heart, friend, I sho’-nuff’ am so doggone glad you wandered up to this ol’ front porch today. Pull up a rocker and rest yourself for a lil’ ol’ moment. I’ve been thinkin’ about treasures this mornin’, the kind that make folks lean in close the way a curious lil’ ol’ rooster leans toward anything shiny in the barnyard. Jesus knew how to catch a crowd’s attention, and He told a story about a merchant huntin’ for pearls. When that merchant found one worth everything, he gladly traded all he had to make it plum all his own.
Matthew 13:45-46 says, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it.” Jesus wanted us to see that He’s the treasure worth surrenderin’ every lesser thing to have. But He also wanted us to see somethin’ mighty tender. He left heaven’s glory to pursue us, callin’ us His prize even though we’re about as polished as a lil’ ol’ curious raccoon that went and tumbled through a blackberry thicket.
Some folks think freedom means doin’ whatever they please, but Scripture tells us somethin’ otherwise. Second Corinthians 3:17 says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Real freedom is found inside God’s boundaries, the way a lil’ toddler needs a fenced yard to explore without wanderin’ into danger. We ain’t nearly as wise as we think. We get emotional, selfish, and short‑sighted, like a lil’ ol’ squirrel that plum forgets where it went and buried its own stash. God’s boundaries downright protect us, so we can be growin’ in grace.
Psalm 19:10 says, “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold.” Friend, that there means God’s truth is the treasure that plum steadies us, guides us, and shapes us. We’re downright saved by grace, kept by grace, and invited to pursue Christ with joy. He is the pearl worth seekin’, and through His love, He sho’-nuff’ calls us as His beloved treasure, too.
Father, thank You for bein’ our true treasure. Thank You for callin’ us valuable, redeeming us, and guidin’ us with Your loving boundaries. Help us pursue You with joy and surrender. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Well, by thunder, friend, you go right on out there into your wild world now and be busy carryin’ this here truth with you like a protective velvet pouch holdin’ somethin’ mighty precious. You’ve gotta be lettin’ your heart lean toward Christ the way tall pine trees lean into a steady mountain breeze. Keep right on seekin’ Him, keep right on trustin’ Him, and keep right on rememberin’ that the God of Heaven plum calls you His treasure, and He is always worth every step of the journey.
With joy,
Gwen
