Recently, as a full-grown adult, I participated in a treasure hunt. It wasn’t even for anything valuable. It was for tiny plastic ducks hidden all over the house.
If someone had simply handed me a dollar-store bag of those ducks, I would have chunked it. It wasn’t about the ducks—it was about the pursuit. There is something about truly searching for a prize that makes it more valuable in our eyes.
Children love to play hide-and-seek. Grown men search for the most sought-after bottles of bourbon. Many people love hunting for priceless antiques. Searching seems to be hard-wired into the human brain. I wonder why?
I must confess, I watch shows about hunting for treasure more than any other type of show. It doesn’t even matter whether the object being sought is valuable or not—I will watch any movie or show where people are searching for treasure. I love treasure hunts!
Hunting requires engagement. It involves using our minds, digging through information, and believing the prize is out there waiting to be found. Then comes the physical pursuit.
What if there were a perfect Kingdom—full of treasure—right here on earth, but it could only be found by seeking?
What if it held answers to the most perplexing issues you face daily?
What if it contained the key to breaking every chain that holds you captive?
What if it was hidden under your bed and you never bothered to look?
Matthew 13:44–46 (NIV)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Did you see it? The Kingdom of heaven is hidden, and we must look for it. Have you scavenged for the treasure of the kingdom of God? Do you spend part of each day seeking His kingdom?
This parable in Matthew isn’t the only place Scripture points us in that direction. Again and again, in many ways, the Bible urges us to seek, search, and pursue this treasure. Google it. I dare you.
If all we know about the Bible is the criteria for admission to heaven, then we haven’t really been seeking. The Bible is a love story. God loves us so much that He gave it to guide us in how to live every day here on earth.
We’ve been given a treasure map.
It’s found in the Holy Scriptures of God.
Ask God for the passion to dig through it.
Comb through it.
Follow every lead.
Ask questions and hunt out the answers.
And do this daily.
There are wonderful tools available for this pursuit. My favorite is my digital Bible. It includes multiple translations, maps, an extensive concordance, notes from Bible scholars, links to relevant articles, recurring themes throughout Scripture, multiple highlight colors, devotionals, and space to write notes as I read.
But don’t stop there. Attend Bible classes offered by your church. Pray for direction in this endeavor. Then ponder these things in your heart.
