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One word. Five minutes to write about it. This is the idea behind Five Minute Friday and this is today's free-writing post.
hidden from view
hidden in plain sight
hidden meaning
hidden treasure
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In pirate stories there's almost always a treasure trove of gold doubloons and gems hidden in a secret location. It might be marked with an X on a map, but there are secret codes to reading the map or accessing the hiding spot. The pirate that hid the loot didn't want anyone else to get their hands on it! In some tales the pirate dies before retrieving the treasure, so someone else is trying to decipher the map to acquire the gold.
The pirates hid their treasure because they didn't want anyone else to have it. And it was stolen to begin with! So why is the wisdom of God spoken of as something hidden, since it seems pretty clear God wants us to have it?
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.
~Matthew 13:44~
God does want us to claim the treasure of his forgiveness and love, and does want us to find wisdom and understanding as well. He doesn't hide it in order to keep it from us. The truth that God is the Creator of all things and should be worshiped is hidden in plain sight―we just need to pay attention to the stars, the oceans, the birds, the flowers, and so much more. The treasure of God's love for us and that he wants us to know him is easy to find if we just open the Bible and pay attention. But there is also so much more! Wisdom and understanding and all those wonderful hidden treasures in his Word, and we need the Holy Spirit to reveal these things to us. And we need to really search and dig deeper to find those treasures.
The word "question" originates from the Latin root quaestio, which means "to seek." Inside the word "question" is the word "quest," suggesting that within every question there is an adventure, pursuit which can lead us to hidden treasure. ~Tom Wujec
They are not hidden because God doesn't want us to have them. These things are hidden unless we ask the Holy Spirit for the keys to understanding the "map" and unless we make the effort to discover them. They are hidden so that we will search and realize the incredible value and worth of what God has for us. When we catch a glimpse of the vast treasure that can be ours, like the man in the parable, we will give up everything else and devote ourselves to acquiring the treasure.
Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the LORD grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
~Proverbs 2:2-7~
We must read our Bibles like men digging for hidden treasure. ~J.C. Ryle
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As I read your post I was reminded of the TV program, Oak Island. For over 100 years people have been searching for treasure that was hidden on this island. My husband enjoys watching all the engineering taking place as they continue to search.
ReplyDeleteBut as you wrote, God's treasure is far more valuable. And it is available to us as we look around at the world God created and read his Word!
Shows like that are so interesting! The creativity and ingenuity involved in hunting for treasure, and as you said, the treasure in God's Word is infinitely more valuable if only we would look for it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteKym, I love, just love how you put this all together. It's like part of the "working out our salvation" that we are responsible for. Dig deeper, see God more clearly.
ReplyDeleteAh, I didn't think of the "working out our salvation" instruction, but I think you are right! I love when things tie together like that to help us understand. Thank you for sharing that hidden treasure with me!
DeleteIt's getting really hard to care,
ReplyDeleteand keep seeking an answer,
but I will not bow to despair,
and will not yield to cancer.
Somewhere out there has got to be
some solution for my heart,
something that will work for me,
that I won't fall apart...
but maybe it's an everyday
thing I have to do,
just make sure I think and say
that which I know is true,
that the decision made to wear a smile
each day makes the whole thing worthwhile.
Andrew, your decision to smile and carry on is so courageous! Praying that you continue to find reasons to smile and to hope.
DeleteLove your words, "hidden in plain sight." I pray that the Holy Spirit gives us eyes to see the secrets of the Kingdom. Amen!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm so glad he wants us to find those secrets! And glad you stopped by and commented - have a great week!
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