Where our treasure is....

Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6

Labor Day seems a good time for us to reflect on the “treasures of our hearts.” What do we value most? How do we place our time, energy, and focus there? We don’t necessarily have one treasure, but many. However, we might ask ourselves on this Labor Day, where does my life’s work reside? What do I love most, value most, and want to nurture above all other things? As people of faith we are called, I believe, to value family and friends; they are treasures as signs of God’s grace in the world. Spending valuable time with family, connecting with friends, and building a sense of peace and strength with those we love is important beyond measure.

What about God? Do we, ultimately, treasure God above all things? If we say, resoundingly, “Yes!”, then how do we focus our energy around our relationship with God in Christ? How much time do we spend in prayer, reflection, the reading of scripture – time with God? If you are like me, you

realize, over and over again, that you could be investing more intentional focus in your life with God in every way. But, it is also important to understand that our relationship with God is not exactly like any other. If we have failed to nourish our awareness of God’s grace in our lives, to treasure that presence, it is not too late. God will never remove his love or approval because we fail to hold up our end. God is always ready and willing to hear us, when we work up the energy to speak. Yet, why wait? Let us begin our journey this day, this week, toward a closer walk with the One whose love surpasses human understanding. We are God’s great treasure. Perhaps, today, we can begin to think of God, too, as our greatest treasure and begin building, and benefitting, from the most important relationship we will ever have.