An Unexpected Discovery

Have you ever had that experience of discovering something amazing in a place you'd never have expected to find it? A jewel amidst the dross of life that changes everything? As the story goes, back in the 9th century AD an Ethiopian goat herder noticed that his goats became energetic after eating red berries from a particular shrub. Curious, he tried them himself and felt invigorated. Monks later used the berries to stay awake during long prayers—marking the beginning of coffee's journey from wild plant to global beverage. These days we take our coffee very much for granted, not giving a moment's thought to the fact that it was discovered by a bunch of goats! God often hides treasures—not to withhold them, but to allow them to be found by the seeking heart. One moment of discovery can change everything. Jesus put it like this: Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  ESV Where is the treasure of God's kingdom? Out in the open for everyone to see? No! It's hidden in a field. And so wondrous is that treasure that a person would sell everything just to have it. God loves a seeking heart. And His Word is full of wonders; wonders that change everything; wonders so wonderful that they render worthless the trinkets and baubles of this world. Perhaps that's why God seems so much closer when we have questions than when we think we have all the answers. Go! Go find the treasure! That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.