Field of Treasure
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know…what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints… (Eph. 1:18 NASB)
“Paris is just super,” goes the old joke, “except for the Parisians.” I sometimes feel the same way about the church, particularly when dealing with stubborn opposition to my ideas during committee meetings or witnessing antics that I have long grown out of. I’ve also noticed how, when someone else from The ‘Hood visits our church, we who came first tend to look him up and down and think, “I know what you’re about, and I don’t like it one bit!” Finally, I know a growing number of people who, disappointed by their experience with fellow believers, have left church altogether. What I haven’t figured out is whom they think they’re punishing.
Which is why this verse from Ephesians caught my attention. Apparently, when God sends people our way, he thinks he’s sending us treasures. Rather than politely disagree, those of us who are greedy for heavenly wealth need to take a second look—with Spirit-filled eyes this time; not natural ones.
When I look again with Spirit-filled eyes, I am astounded. I see great anointing on those who are currently taking the next steps in their faith so tentatively —anointing greater than I move in. I see new fields of heaven beckoning beyond the rusty and broken gate of a prebeliever—fields I will never work in. I see how my fellow church-goers multiply my effectiveness far beyond the limits of my own strength and gifting. I realize that my path to blessing properly lies in my efforts for others, not away from them.
It’s like buying the field in Jesus’ parable. Every believer knows about the treasure buried at the far end. Imagine one’s joy then, when one finally swings one’s pick, to discover that there is in fact treasure buried at every step. I invite all treasure-hunters to join me in having a field day!
February, 2003
