One of the neat things about living in the same house for 23 years is finding long lost treasures in unexpected places. When my son was little, he used to love playing with his action figures in the backyard. Large rocks always seemed to make an excellent setting for battle scenes. The holes in the larger boulders were the perfect place to tuck away a Storm Trooper or two that would later make a surprise attack.
As expected, not all of the action figures made it back inside at the end of the day. So began the tradition of unearthing these miniature rugged warriors as we would do yard work. It was like an easter egg hunt of sorts! We never knew who we were going to find. The repetition would get a little annoying at times. “Make sure you bring them all back in when you are done playing!”, but we would still find the occasional stowaway.
As my son grew older, the action figures eventually ended up tucked away in a box in a closet. Several years later, while doing yard work, I unearthed a long lost Boba Fett. I can assure you that the first thing that came to my mind was not “he missed another one”. Instead, it actually brought tears to my eyes. What a precious memory of his childhood! I could almost see him playing under the massive oak tree. My heart could barely stand it.
Same toy.
Same task of picking it up.
Same thing that used to bug me.
The only thing that was different now was that time that had gone by. And some how time has allowed this little intergalactic hero to take on a whole new meaning.
As I leaned down to pick him up, I realized that God’s word is kind of the same way. It can take on different meanings during different seasons in our lives. A verse that we have had buried in our hearts for years can speak to us in an entirely different way at a later time. This is why it is so incredibly important to know His word. Read it daily. Soak in it. Memorize it. God’s word is full of His promises… His protection… His instructions.
2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “Every Scripture has been written by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness.” (TPT) To put it simply, His word is basically a “how-to handbook” that equips us for life.
One afternoon, while watering the plants by the pool, I saw a shadow in the hole of a rock. I leaned in closer to take a look, hoping it wasn’t another tarantula. Nope… (phew)! It was just a cute little Ewok that, once again, made my “mama heart” drop. Who knows how many times I have stood in that same spot, watering those same plants, and never noticed him before. Yet he had been there all along, buried in that hole, making an appearance to me now that is far more precious than it would have been 13 years ago.
God’s word can do the same for us! A scripture that we glazed over in the past just might be the very thing that we need to get us through today. God’s word never changes, but our circumstances do. If we store His word in our hearts, He can use it to speak to us when we least expect it. David said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 (NIV) Knowing God’s word leads to knowing His heart and knowing His voice. And we need to know His voice if we want to hear what He says.
That little Ewok had been there for so long that we decided to let him take up permanent residence right there by the pool. He was respectfully relocated to a prime location in a rock under the waterfall. Every now and then, while we’re splashing around, one of us will see this little guy and take him out to surprise someone unexpectedly. Let us do the same with God’s word. Let’s keep it right there so it is ready to unearth at any moment… a little treasure revealed to bring joy and comfort to others.
“Lord, strengthen my inner being by the promises of your word so that I may live faithful and unashamed for you.” Psalms 119:116 (TPT)
Love it. So precious and true
Beautifully written and well said. Thank you for sharing! God’s Word does speak to us in different ways at different times in our lives, but it always comes back to us when we need it most!
I can so relate!! Thank you for sharing your heart! So beautifully written ?