If I asked you to think of an object that
represents who you are, what would it be?
I would like to use the illustration of a
jewellry box to represent our lives.
There are a variety of boxes out there. Some are made from wood, fiberglass or
paperboard; some are for temporary storage others for permanent; they come in
all shapes and sizes and different designs from very ornate to plain.
Every box has a history, a road that we have
travelled, lessons that we have learnt, areas we have grown in and people that
have made a difference in our lives.
Every moment is a treasure that we keep inside our boxes. Some of these
treasures are useful to us and some are purly sentimental.
Some of the treasures inside are very expensive,
it has cost us much time, energy and emotions.
Some treasures are gifts, like wisdom in the right moment that produced
good results.
God has placed great treasures in each of
us. When we reach inside and use it, we
see amazing things happen and joy and blessing.
But the devil does not want us to use these
treasures, he knows how powerful they are, so he does his best to stop us from
reaching inside to use it. When we open the lid to reach in and use a treasure,
he tries to snap that lid shut.
Sometimes our hands or fingers get caught and it is very sore, we get
hurt. When this happens often enough we
become hesitant to reach inside again.
In some cases the hurt is so bad that we stop opening that lid, and over
time we forget what treasures are lying within.
The Bible tells us:
1Sa 25:29 If anyone should attack you and try to kill
you, the LORD your God will keep you safe, as someone guards a precious treasure.
As for your enemies, however, he will throw them away, as someone hurls stones
with a sling.
There are 3 types of treasures, and each serves a
purpose.
1.
USEFUL/HEAD
This is the knowledge we have gained, the skills
and abilities. The Devil tries to steal
away this, so we hoard it and hide it away.
I am reminded of the parable of the servant that hid away the talent
that was given to him. When the master
returned it was taken away. We must use
our talents and abilities and we will grow and make a difference.
Nah 2:9 Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! The
city is full of treasure!
2.
SENTIMENTAL/HEART
These are our memories and Spiritual growth. Here
the Devil lies to us – tells us that by giving it away & we will loose it. But Jesus says that when you give things away
you gain more. When I share my heart
with others I will recieve. When I grow
spiritually I will make a difference.
Joh 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill,
and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life---life in all its
fullness.
3.
EXPENSIVE/SOUL
These are the hard lessons we have learnt, the
wisdom we have gained at great cost, the diamonds that are forged through great
pressure. The Devil tries to block your absolute trust & faith in Christ
through FEAR: false expectations appearing real, he tells you are alone, that you
must be responsiblie for everything and everyone.
We should prayerfully relinquish all our goals,
activities and outcomes into God’s hands. God’s goal for you are joyful
obedience to Him and the development of Christ likeness as you interact with
others. Places people in your lives as instruments to refine your character and
growth and ask the Holy Spirit to breath in you an overwhelming sense of “holy
boldness” for the sake of Jesus.
“For God
has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 2
Tim 1:7
“For you
did not recieve a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you recieved
the Sprit of sonship. And by him we cry
“Abba, Father.” Rom 8:15
Let your
life be a legacy to inspire others and make a difference!
When you open your boxes and go through it, you
will remember and find the things forgotten. God is calling us to reach in and
pull forth the abilities that He has invested in you, to rise up from the ashes
of our past and to shine with the brilliance of 1000 diamonds. We need to shake
the dust off and use our gifts & abilities. Our lives are treasures – we
are God’s crowming glory!
Mat 12:35 A good person brings good things out of a treasure
of good things; a bad person brings bad things out of a treasure of bad things.
Let your life be a legacy to inspire others and make a
difference!
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