1 Corinthians 14: 20 “Brethren, do not be children in understanding: however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.”

As we were packing to come home last week from our family vacation, my husband asked me if I ever have anyone else write on my blog. “You mean like a guest blogger?” “Yes,” he said. I could tell something was stirring in him that he wanted to share, so I told him I would post what he wanted to write.

God has used this man on more occasions that I can remember to show me truth. He is a man who loves the Lord and his family. Like any other married couple, we have our moments, and there are times when we feel like the other person has completely lost all reason, but I am grateful for him and the way he supports my “on” and off the wall ideas. Please enjoy his post this week.

Unburied Treasure

Recently our family went to the beach for our summer vacation.  I am a math teacher and father of a five-year old daughter.  As a result, I am always looking for those powerful teachable moments to help my daughter learn about Jesus and life in general.  Little did I know that the little pipsqueak was going to be the one teaching me the lesson.

Our first day on the beach, my daughter was fascinated by the sea shells lying all over the beach.  She would pick one up and hand it to me and say, “This one is beautiful!”  Then she would hand me another shell and say, “Daddy look at the pretty colors.”  After Julia quickly gathered 4 or 5 shells I was ready to unleash my timely wisdom – “But Julia,” I said, “They are all broken!”  After all, who wants a collection of sea shells that are all flawed?  My five-year old daughter had a quick response that was full of meaning but devoid of malice, “Not to me. I think they are beautiful.”

Wait a minute. Aren’t I the esteemed “head of the household,” the dispenser of truth and understanding?  Of course, there is a simple answer to that.  Not always.  Jesus is the only one who is the consistent messenger of truth.

In order to determine God’s will for us, believers need to develop a relationship with Jesus through prayer and study so that the Holy Spirit can help us to discern His will for us as a member of the body of Christ.  Christians also need to know that God’s message can be delivered at any time and from anyone; even a five-year old girl.

My experience with my daughter was rather convicting.  I am glad that Jesus sees all of us as precious.  After all, what would heaven look like if Jesus’ collection contained only those people who were perfect?  Where would our hope be?  Fortunately, believers automatically become a part of Jesus’ personal collection because:

“…He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior so that we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” – Titus  3: 5-7