Thought for the Week

I HAVE sometimes thought that it might be quite fun to wander round a field, or walk on the beach, with a metal detector. I am sure that I would find nothing more exciting than metal rings for drinks cans. No great treasure, but perhaps a bit of an environmental clean up! Some people do this way find treasure trove of mediaeval or Roman jewellery. Sometimes archaeologists painstakingly scrape away at the earth and discover hoped for treasures. On the TV this week there were pictures of a church where 20 layers of paint and lime-wash were being removed to reveal amazing mediaeval wall paintings. A labour of love that has so far taken years, and will continue as more and more is revealed.

In 1947 a Bedouin shepherd boy was looking for a sheep that had strayed. He spotted a cave in the hillside, and decided to return with a friend to explore. In the cave they found large earthenware pots with scrolls inside, wrapped in linen. This was treasure indeed, for these were what we now refer to as the Dead Sea Scrolls. More scrolls were found in nearby caves; the scrolls contained the writings of a Jewish sect that lived at about the time of Jesus, and were important documents telling us much about life at that time.

Although not the dictionary definition, treasure is something that we value and hold dear. It is something that we cherish, and it may or may not be of monetary worth. What do you treasure? I am sure that your answer will be an object that reminds you of someone, or has been made by a child, or is something of particular beauty. If you pause to think about it, you will probably speak of a person when you list what you treasure most in life; you will think of a friend or friendship or pet. In a book I was reading recently, I was struck by the phrase, “the treasure of sleep”, for isn’t that something of great value to us, perhaps only best appreciated by those who are struggling because they can’t sleep and are worn out and weary as a consequence.

What are the treasures in your life? Are they the material goods of life, or do you treasure more the values that speak of things eternal; of the people made in God’s image; the values that would lead to peace and cooperation in the world; values that would overcome all that brings fear; the people who speak to you of love not hate?

Jesus tells a short parable about a man finding hidden treasure in a field, and it is so special and important to him that he is prepared to sell everything in order to return and claim the treasure; Jesus is speaking about the kingdom of heaven. It is like a pearl of great price, he says.

What are the treasures in your life? Are they material goods and worldly values, or are they concerned with the lasting values of love and care, where there is respect for all other beings, and for God’s created world? It is well worth while trading the temporal for the eternal?

To know God’s abiding love and presence for me is great treasure. And I don’t need a metal detector for that!