Treasure

The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:21 In my prayer journal I have a statement, the source of which I can't remember, but I do remember what it said. It read, "If you must go into the deep darkness, do not miss the treasure to be found there." We rarely, if ever, equate darkness with treasure. The fact is, we seek to stay as far away from any darkness as we can. Notice that it was Moses who entered into it. The people themselves stood apart from it all. At a distance. That is usually the position we want to take. Keeping darkness and the pain and unknown that goes with it is a very human response. Yet He does allow it into our life, and He calls us to come to Him in it. I don't know the depth of the darkness that you've experienced, but I know the depth of mine. Divorce, the loss of family, for a time of my ministry, as well as the very great darkness I've encountered through my years of serving Him. More in my own pain I sought out the "stories" of so many who have also entered into it, into situations far darker than anything I have encountered. In all of those times I discovered, as did these others, that there is great treasure to be mined there. Treasure that would never have been found in the light. Treasure that we discover to be none other than God Himself. I have found again and again that in my times of pain and loss, I can either run from it or run to Him. Running to Him in desperation. Yes, relief from the pain is sought, but what I find is that what I really gain in the desperate seeking is.....Christ the Lord. I lay hold of the treasure of a deeper knowledge of Him. Of a greater intimacy with Him. Of a deeper abiding in Him. These are the pearls, the jewels, the treasures that we find in the thick darkness. My flesh always seeks to keep its distance from the thick darkness, but the result of that will always be a deadening of my heart and spirit toward Him. He will seem more and more distant from me. I will feel so far away. We miss all that He has for us in the darkness. If He has allowed the darkness in your life, don't miss what He has for you in it. He offers the treasure of Himself there. He calls to your heart. He calls you from the distance you've allowed to develop in your heart, and back to the rich intimacy you may have allowed to fade. Let us dare to enter into whatever darkness He may have allowed, and mine the treasure He has for us. Blessings, Pastor O