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God’s
Treasure Chest When I was a young girl, I began as was the custom, a treasure chest, better known as a 'hope' chest. From time to time, items were placed in that chest with the dreams and desires for becoming a wife and mother. Many of the things were given or bought with the idea of sustaining a future life. Often I would take a peek in the chest just to see, renew, and refresh my mind as to the treasures that had been so tenderly placed in that old chest. Sometimes I had to move items aside or dig through the layers just to remember the precise gifts stored. However, each time the treasures were revealed, there was such an excitement, anticipation, peace and deep joy for the gifts, but more for the fulfillment of the promise they represented. God has blessed me with the gift of a treasure chest this week! His true "Hope Chest". I eagerly wait with joyous anticipation to see the layers of gifts He will reveal.Day One and Two – Layer of gifts one and two – Many gifts were given today most of them were difficult to receive, but they are gifts to remind me, as in Jeremiah, that I am clay in the potter’s hand… “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? . . . Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand”. The first gift was revealed in the getting ready for the trip:** Learn to quit leaning on my own understanding for it is often lacking and leads to frustration and stress. Seek to be more of Mary than Martha focusing on God centered things rather than man centered or worse yet “my” centered.** As I prepared to leave, verses were given to me in Ephesians and Philippians. “May I put away all bitterness and anger and wrath and shouting and slander, along with all malice. And may I be kind and compassionate to others, forgiving them just as God in Christ alas forgave me.” Ephesians 4:31-32 “May I do all things without complaining or arguing, so that I may become a blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom I shine as a light in the world, holding fast the world of life.” Philippians 2:14-16 As the day progressed, those gifts being learned would be put to test. The travel was exhausting… waiting in lines, toting luggage carry on bags, long plane rides, little sleep, and then waiting two hours on a bus for late comers to arrive before heading to hotel. Forgiving? !? Doing all things without complaining? !? Then gift number three came in a most unexpected way. After gathering our group on the blue bus and heading to the hotel, I along with the others, learned that even in a state of great weariness: *** God can bring a song to your heart to sustain you with peace, love, joy and hope.*** As we approached Jerusalem, the driver, Awni and Saad, the guide put a tape on of “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, hark how the angels sing…hosanna in the highest, hosanna to our king!" Then, one by one the people on the bus, strangers, yet brothers and sisters in Christ, began to sing the words with the tape. Approaching the city of Jerusalem for the first time with the words of the final verse of that song about the "New Jerusalem" resounding in my ears, stirred my soul with the reminder of the blessed gift in God’s hope chest of the fulfillment of His promise yet to be! What a triumphant entry into Jerusalem!!! Hosanna to the King!!! After that unexpected blessing of peace and rest for a weary soul, mind and body, came the other treasures in the layer of gifts for today… A delightful hotel (The Olive Tree), a warm greeting, a hot shower, a scrumptious meal, pleasant company with special friends, thanksgiving for a safe journey, a comfortable bed and a husband’s loving kiss goodnight. The treasure chest lid was closing for day one, but the beginning journey of discovery in God’s treasure chest was just on the horizon. Day Three- layer of gifts three- The first morning in Jerusalem dawns bright and clear with a cool crispness to the air. Opening the window, I see and hear the bustling noise of busy streets and eagerly anticipate the places Saad (our guide) and Awni (our bus driver) will take us today. First, a hearty breakfast with lots of talk and laughter about the first night, especially the unfamiliar noises like the Moslem calls to prayer. After breakfast, load the bus…ready to begin. The bus begins to weave its way through the crowded streets to the first stop, the Fields of the Shepherds. The boys on the hillside holding lambs (of course wanting to have their picture taken) and tents pitched here and there with people living in them were much as the shepherds lived in Bible days. Marti, a lady in our group and one of the tour coordinators for a California group, leads us in prayer. Then, treasure gift number one for today, I am asked to read scripture as we gather around David's well. The scripture is found in 2 Samuel 23:8-17 about the three mighty men. In verse 15, David speaks, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the Bethlehem gate!” It is beautiful and amazing to be standing on the hillsides where David watched the sheep and fellowshipped with God as God began to prepare him for his role, as mighty King David. I’ve noticed there are many Shepherds caves throughout the hillsides… a reminder that: *** loneliness and comfort levels can’t separate us from God’s eyes and love…in fact often releases us from those things which encumber and distracts. *** The next layer in the treasure chest is just around the corner as we see the Valley of Ruth and Boaz. I couldn’t help but think of Rick (our pastor) and his wonderful teachings from the book of Ruth. To continue, click here for page two of Kay's Journal Send us your journal or trip report as soon as possible. For publication requirements, please review our Journals page. |
