More Than Treasure

A year or two ago I wrote a bible study called “More Than Treasure” for young women who are interested in pursuing their worth in Christ as well as their identity in Christ. It’s not published or anything “big”, but I put it together from different matters of the heart God has taught me as well as receiving instruction and discipleship from some amazing women over the years. Few people in my life probably even know it exists. I’m finding that these tools, the ones God helped me to formulate when I put “More Than Treasure” together, are ones that I not only use daily but constantly look back on to help me be reminded of who I am in Christ. Mostly, I recognize the scriptures of truth associated with finding myself as worth ‘more than treasure’ in God’s eyes. Furthermore, it is also recognizing these barriers to God’s truth that help me see when I’m being deceived.

In recent months, I’ve learned so much about how critical it is to see yourself the way God sees you, and we will be working at this throughout our lives. However, when you begin finding your worth in affirmation from others or any other cheap imitation of Christ, it is not only idolatry but can set you up for failure. Fortunately, it is a blessing I’ve been able to recognize the need for seeing myself the way God sees me – in the storms of life, and only a blessing God can provide.

You see, it is so easy to see yourself as ‘unlovable’ or ‘disposable’ when a person you loved once seemingly tosses aside your heart like an old shoe. A heart you’ve guarded, protected, been so careful with who you let see it, touch it, hold it, come inside it, and asked God to even guard it Himself. It seems they move on so easy, without a hitch, not even looking back, not a care in mind, not even missing you a little bit, and comfortably looking for a new shoe. You find yourself asking questions like, “how did this happen? I was so careful.” Or you might say, “I thought for sure I was safe, I trusted God’s leading in trusting someone else, where did I go wrong?” Or, “was I reckless? Someone had to be reckless for me to end up here, heart hanging out with all trust broken. Was it me who was reckless in trusting the words of the wrong person?”

Truth is, God. God is the only One trustworthy enough to handle our hearts. He is not reckless with language or use of words. God always means what He says whether it is yesterday, today, or tomorrow. It is God who will never leave you nor forsake you. It is God who wants you whether you are a terrible mess, failing at everything you do or whether it is your best day and you are taking on life at full steam ahead. God loves you. It is God who will AND has laid down His own life for you, who died for you. It is God who is enthralled with your beauty no matter if you are in sweats and no make-up or you are decked out in a beautiful wedding dress. It is God who will always provide for you. It is God who will always fight for you without end. It is God who will always protect you. It is God who wants to surprise you all the time by outdoing your wildest dreams. It is God who wants to give you the world, receive your love for eternity, and it is God who longs to comfort you on your worst day. It is God who has taken on the mission to save you, no one else can rescue you – only God. He alone is our Savior, no cheap imitation will do. It is God who moves mountains and parts red seas, not anyone else. It is God who is the Knight in Shining Armor, anyone else is just as flawed and fallen and in need of a Savior as you are.

I write this as I learn it and as I live it. There is no hurt that cannot be healed by God, there is no damage that cannot be repaired by God, and there is nothing so broken that God cannot restore it. My point is, you are worth more than treasure. God does not do all this for anything less than what He treasures, and He treasures YOU. Scripture tells us this…..

She is worth far more than rubies. – Proverbs 31:10, NIVb

In the culture of the time this scripture was written, rubies were the most expensive gem and by far the most expensive treasure one could find. God tells us that you are worth more than rubies ladies. If God Himself says it, you cannot argue with the Most High King. God will never disappoint you and only His love will ever entirely satisfy you. So, I say, give yourself some grace for not being perfect. Give everyone else out there grace for not being the ‘God’ in your life, it’s a role only God Himself can fulfill. Truth is, we will disappoint each other, but when we love the One who does not disappoint He gives us life and strength. He gives us the love we need to love others even when we think we cannot do it ourselves. We cannot love selflessly apart from God, He chooses to love us selflessly and we are to mirror His love by choosing to love others selflessly. A love worth far more than treasure, just as you are worth far more than any treasure. I pray this is used in your life to glorify God, let you know He is a faithful and trustworthy Father who is worthy of our full attention and praise. I pray this for you as He continues to teach all of us! Thank you for teaching us Lord!