Storeroom of Treasure
Sitting on the floor in our crawl space under our house, I began sifting through boxes and totes with one thing on my mind. “How am I going to let go of a lifetime of “treasures” in order to downsize?” With each box comes images of events past, many of which still make my heart swell with joy. Some things I can toss to the side fairly easily, but those things that tell a story of a life lived are a bit harder. Memories of love and loss, memories of pride and joy, memories of being young and alive flow through my fingers as I peel back the lids and dig through the contents of each container. What is the purpose of keeping these treasures when they are tucked away in a storeroom? They are for times that you need to remember. They are there to share, someday, with your grandchildren so that they can see who you were when you were young. They are there to make you smile and laugh when life gets rough. They are there to remind you of a time when life was simpler when you were stronger and youthful. They give truth to times past.
In Matthew 13:52, Jesus points out that a storeroom is a place for keeping treasures over a long period of time, to use when needed. He says to his disciples, “Therefore, every student of Scripture instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who brings out of his storeroom what is new and what is old.” He is talking to them about the storeroom of truth. When we spend time studying God’s Word, our spiritual storerooms fill with truth. When we find ourselves in a time, in an hour of need, these treasures of comfort (God’s Words) will open up and be understood, they will bring peace and strength to your heart. Deuteronomy 31:6 is one of my truth treasures in my storeroom. It says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.” These truths are the true treasures that are more valuable than any material thing. Jesus is all about us remembering. So many times in scripture we are reminded to remember what God has done for us and in that, we are strengthened and we find joy and peace. In the Old Testament of the Bible, we learn truths that point to our Savior, Jesus and in the New Testament, we learn new truths that point to our eternal future. Old and new, times past and times future all stored and ready to be recalled.
Resigned to the reality that I cannot possibly keep everything in my storeroom under my house, I will store the memories of these things in my heart where I can recall them at a moment’s notice. As I lift the lid on each box, I will not only remember the events of my past, but I will remember the joy and grace that God has given me in the life that he has let me live here on earth so far and the life that he has promised me in the future. One day, it will not be a stored box or tote in my basement that I open, but my spiritual storeroom of truth that will be revealed to bring me joy and peace. What does your storeroom look like? Do you have a storeroom of truth – a spiritual storeroom? Have you visited it lately?