Treasure Hunting

I love to seek hidden treasure. I would rather go to a thrift store and happen upon a book I would like in good condition behind a stack of books or at the bottom of a bin then to go to a book store and select it off the shelf. There is a certain thrill in yard sale, flee market, and thrift store hunting. It is indeed a hunt for a treasure, and the thrill is in the seeking. The joy is in the finding. Once a treasure or two found at one thrift store, I am off to seek at the next location.

I also like to collect beach glass. I can certainly go and buy some at a local shell shop, but I would lose the joy of the hunt. I like to walk along the beach watching the sand carefully. Sifting through broken shells and smooth beach pebbles, I’ll see a sparkle as the sun reflects off the smooth green or white glass. Occasionally, I’ll find a blue, purple, or red piece of glass!

I’m reminded of the Proverb that it is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of Kings to search it out. I recently heard a minister by the name of Bill Johnson say that “God doesn’t hide things from us, He hides things for us.” He gave the illustration of hiding Easter eggs for his children to find. When they are young he hides them in plain view and takes pleasure as his children joyously discover them. As his children matured he knew that he had to hide them better to give them the same joy of discovery that they experienced in times past.

God asks us to seek for Him, for His glory and our pleasure. He enjoys pleasing us with discovery of Him. He will hide a truth for us to find so that the seeking and the finding are a journey of pleasure for us and it is to His glory to give us this delight. The awesome thing about God is there is always more of Him to discover. We can continually enjoy the pleasure of seeking Him and of finding Him.