DEVOTION//Focus on real treasure

The first church I pastored was in a city on the Gulf Coast of Florida.  The beaches there offered up a treasure-trove of seashells. Spired conch shells.  Striped whelk shells. Cockle shells. Sand dollars. Calico scallops. And more.

Seashell treasures

At first, we collected any kind of shells. It didn't matter that they were chipped or broken. It didn't matter if they were hard to find or one of millions on the beach.  We collected them all.

But after a while, we became more discriminating. We left the broken shells on the beach for Northerners to pick up. We sought out the turkey wing shells that twisted like ribbons and were rarely found unbroken. We didn't bother picking up the small shark's teeth but scanned the sand for teeth two or more inches across.

Life’s treasures

Life offers us many "treasures." Many of those treasures, like broken shells on a Florida beach, can seem attractive, even beautiful. Gathering them for ourselves can demand our attention.  They seductively demand our affection. But once we get to know them better, we realize they weren't worth the time it took to bring them into our lives.

True treasures

The treasures of God's grace are the ultimate treasures in life. The beauty of our Savior's love that compelled him to leave heaven for a life as a human on earth. The cross' breathtaking sacrifice. The glory of Jesus' empty tomb. The sublime assurance that our God is with us always. The brilliant eternity that awaits us.  These are treasures beyond words, beyond description, beyond worth.

Concentrate your attention on these treasures, our Father urges. Leave the world's broken counterfeits on the beach. Search for real beauty, for eternal treasure. Focus your mind, your life, your values on God's grace in Jesus.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).