Every Day Faith - August 2020: A Pearl of Great Price

It’s not unusual, in these trying times, to encounter many bowed heads during the course of one’s day. It’s a sight most of us seldom encountered in the past. People walking, talking to an unseen presence, talking to their hands—heads bowed, talking into little black ... books? Phones! They’re talking into their phones. Many of them completely oblivious to their surroundings.

We live in an age of unparalleled distraction. Our attentions are being constantly misdirected. By tweets. By uploads, downloads. By images. By videos. Never before have the eyes, ears, mouths and hands of humanity been so preoccupied.

In some ways, this immediate access to so much, in so little— almost instantaneous— time is a good thing. Right?

To an extent. But to a greater extent, the things that matter—really matter—are often left wanting. God, family, friends—even healthy attention—are left in the background to languish and suffer.

Jesus shared a parable about how our attentions should be directed—focused on a treasure, a pearl of great price. The kingdom of heaven is like such a treasure. So important, so magnificent in it’s worth that those who truly get a grasp on it are willing to give up everything else in order to give it its proper due. In reading Scripture today, let’s focus on this treasure and give it its rightful attention. This will help to shape us into the representatives that Christ is calling us to be, spiritually alive and marked by faithful character, leaving a legacy of spiritual intimacy for those who follow us.
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Father, indeed, these days are an assault on our senses and attention. We are often left overwhelmed by every little thing vying for our attention. Yet we know who should be our primary focus — the One who truly deserves our hearts. Our Saviour should be and must be our biggest attraction. This is unparalleled wisdom that the world does not understand, yet the old prophets longed for.

Father, help us to be alert to this and to ... focus.

Help us to attend to the mustard seed of Your kingdom and to focus on Your Word and communication with You, by prayer.
Help us to see Your majesty and the world as You see it. Help us see it through the eyes of Jesus.

This eternal thread, this wellspring of treasure is too important for us to miss.

Our Saviour, hungry after 40 days of fasting, was so tempted. Tempted by physical need, wealth, self power and political power—He gave You Your due attention and focus. Our Father in Heaven, holy and unequaled is Your name. Your kingom is come, residing in the faithful and awaiting, full of revelation to all of humanity. Help us to be faithful stewards of this unprecedented reality.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: Adobe Stock

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Matthew 13:45-46— “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.”

1 Timothy 6:19—“In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

Job 28:17-18— “Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.”

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