Tulsa Men of Christ (www.tulsamenofchrist.com): Hope you find Treasure this Christmas!

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Luke 2:19

This one little verse, amidst all the great scriptures telling the account of Christ’s birth, has great meaning to me. Mary just had a front-row seat to witness one of the greatest miracles ever recorded in history. A real angel visited her, an impossible pregnancy was conceived, her husband found faith and righteousness to stand by her side, they journeyed a difficult trip on a donkey some 80 miles, this promised child was delivered in a barn amongst the animals, the brightest star she ever saw rested above her like a spotlight and strangers came and worshipped her child. While all of this was happening, I’m sure it was surreal. It must have seemed like a dream. Yet, in the afterglow, Mary searched her heart for the meaning of all of this. She realized the immensity of the treasure in her life.

I love the word “treasure”. We are all treasure hunters. When we find out about something of worth that is up for grabs, we will search high and low to find it. However, we tend to think of treasure only as material riches that have been hidden away for the ages. I think, on a deeper level, the treasure we’re seeking has little to do with wealth. I think what we’re really searching for is significance and purpose and meaning in life.

This Christmas, as you ponder in your heart the treasure in your life, you may feel bankrupt. You may be searching for God, looking for an angel or a star to guide you to Him. It’s been a difficult year for many of us. It’s amazing how one of the most prosperous years can be followed by one of the bleakest years ever. Sickness and death and disappointment may have found their way to your doorstep this year. As we sit back and ponder 2009, for some reason, it’s easy to focus on all of these treasure-stealers.

I think we need to learn from Mary. We need to take some time to treasure up all the beautiful, wonderful, miraculous gifts we’ve seen this year. They are there to be found for all of us, but just like a real-life treasure hunt, they may require you to search, struggle and dig to find them. The treasure is to be found, and it is to be found in God. “If you cry out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:3-5

There is a legend that every time you see a Cardinal, you can be assured that a prayer has been answered. This seemed sort of silly at first, but ever since I’ve heard it, I’ve noticed that Cardinals show up in my life at the most opportune times, usually when I need encouragement. You won’t find the Cardinal promise in Scripture, but what you will find is a God who wants to reveal Himself to His children, who wants to do miracles in our lives, who likes to surprise us, who wants to give us treasure. I believe God would even send a Cardinal to give us a sign that He’s there and that He loves us.

From the moment Jesus was conceived into this world, He used ordinary people to participate in His extraordinary work. The Christmas story is more than just Mary’s story. It is your story. God wants to touch you and bring forth great treasure in your life. Keep your eyes open in 2010. You don’t want to miss what God is doing in your life. And when you least expect it, you may see a Cardinal to remind you.