REFLECTIONS

Hidden Treasures

Robinson Crusoe had nothing on us. The island that became his home was no more desolate than this one. We were dropped off knowing there were no accommodations and the only fresh water was contained in the two bottles we brought with us. Although we didn’t feel the isolation Robinson must have felt, we did feel the stillness of being alone. There was no way back until the boat came again to pick us up.

This adventure was really not a frightening one. We chose it and had faith in the schedule to return us home. But it still felt a bit strange to give up control of our lives for a few hours while we combed the beach for whatever hidden treasures we might uncover.

The boat pulled away from the dock almost unnoticed and we set out in discovery of the surprises an isolate beach might offer. We had come with great anticipation that sea treasures would emerge before us; but such was not to be. The beach was clean and shells were sparse. In time, however our eyes sharpened and we began to discover rich colors and intriguing shapes in the sand that symbolize the mysteries of the sea. Sand dollars unbroken by the powerful surf magically appeared. And then to our amazement and disbelief we found ourselves staring at a special treasure of the sea. It was a small starfish basking in plain view as if placed there just for our pleasure.

God created such a beautiful world. It is there for the taking. But we seem to become so distracted with activities and possessions that we cannot see the treasures that God has placed before our eyes. It doesn’t matter much where we are or where we go, the beauty of God’s earth is all around. And we seem to see it best when we get away from the things that distract us every day and move into the stillness. There we find the hidden treasures of the earth and discover the joy they bring to our lives when we find them.

Such times as this are brief and all too soon we heard the boat coming to return us to our normal life. We had not been away long enough to become concerned for our health or safety. But we had been away long enough to enjoy part of God’s creation, and I wonder why we find so little time in our lives for that. For it is in the stillness of those peaceful times that we discover God’s treasures.

And we learn that they are not hidden at all.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org

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