Hidden Riches

I ran across a fascinating story about the late newspaper publisher, William Randolph Hearst. I want to share it with you because of the tremendous truth I think it holds for all of us.

As the story goes, the tremendously wealthy Mr. Hearst was an avid art collector who spared no expense in acquiring treasures from all over the world. One day, Mr. Hearst read about some extremely valuable items that he decided he simply had to have in his possession. He sent a man who worked for him around the world in search of these items. Mr. Hearst was determined to discover who owned them and how much it would cost him to buy them. Finally, after months of searching abroad, Mr. Hearst’s employee reported that the treasure had been found…in a warehouse, belonging to Mr. Hearst. Yes, Mr. Hearst had been willing to pay whatever cost was involved for treasure he already owned. If only he had scanned the inventory list of his own blessings, yes?

Friends, I believe that’s such a picture of us as believers, maybe even especially the American church that has been so well fed on God’s word. We’re constantly looking for that extra something, that latest devotional, the newest translation, when everything we really need to live a fruitful Christina life lies within us. We are rich in Christ Jesus! We have all we need to partner with God in the sanctification process through Jesus, Immanuel, the Hope of Glory.

The larger question is, how will we do it? How will we partner with God to see the manifestation of the gift of Christ within us? I believe the Word teaches that our lives rise or falls on our individual wills. We’ll be ineffective, so-so saints, never changing, never growing—or we’ll be constantly in the process of being transformed, being made new, and exploring the riches that are ours in Christ Jesus. And it will all hinge on whether or not we live with a yielded will.

Hugs,
Shellie