Hidden treasure

This will be the last WFTD for a while as I will not have access to e-mail in Australia and I do not have anyone to cover for me as my WFTD backup person that sends out repeats in my absence is on vacation too. I will be thinking about all of you though NOT! I will be catching giant Black Marlin and having a blast. Please pray for my safety.

I have a friend who is a five time bull riding champion of California and is as tough as the bulls he once used to try to ride. He is also a renowned hunter and outfitter. I met him elk hunting in Montana and we became good friends and we personally hunted big game together throughout North America for many years. This guy was poor as a church mouse’. He lived in a tiny little frame home with his American Indian wife and their little son out on a windswept prairie and he did not even have running water and had outdoor facilities, (not fun in 40 degree below zero Montana weather).

Eventually my old bones got too arthritic for the cold winters and my knees were not up to the rigors of big game hunting the vertical mountains of the west. I migrated to the more body-friendly cobalt blue oceans and 75 degree tropical temperatures, blue skies, and excitement of big game fishing. My buddy and I grew apart and I did not see him again for many years.

Out of the blue he called me in Atlanta one day. We setup a rendezvous and met for dinner. The first thing that caught my eye was that he was staying in one of the swankest hotels in Atlanta. Then I learned he had flown in on his own plane, (one of three that he owned). “Just what in the world is going on? I asked.” He smiled and began to relate to me that he was a black sheep and that his family was one of the wealthiest families in California. They owned thousands of acres of land in Napa valley and one of the largest farms in the state. He stood to inherit the entire thing along with a sibling. All of those years that we hunted together, he had not once mentioned his family situation, even though innumerable times we sat around campfires under the starry night talking for hours long into the night.

My buddy was wild and rebellious in his youth, (and beyond), and took off to find adventure almost as a kid. He was sitting out on the windy mud flats one day in his little frame house with no food or money and his old bones creaking and arthritic from his bull riding days and tough outdoor life and realized that maybe it would not be half bad to make up with mom. He swallowed his pride and went home and like the prodigal son he was welcomed back and was instantly rich almost beyond measure. He was talking about stocks and bonds and making bridge loans to big executives for high interest half the night. I just smiled broadly at him in wonderment and laughed my head off.

Isn’t that just like so many situations that people we know are in? Our heavenly Father is ready, willing, and waiting for us to return home and claim our inheritance. All we have to do is make our move. Jesus states in the Bible if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. There are riches beyond measure awaiting God’s children. The Bible states that eye has not seen, or ear ever heard the treasures awaiting God’s children in heaven.

Jesus stated that he was going to prepare a mansion for us. (Imagine what that will look like; a mansion prepared by Jesus Christ) He is willing to forgive us our sins and adopt us as sons and daughters provided we will take that first small step and ask for forgiveness, repent of our sins, and follow Jesus Christ. My buddy asked his family for forgiveness and his life is so much better now than one can imagine. Just think how much more so it will be when reconciled with our Holy Father. What better time than Thanksgiving and soon Christmas to change your life for the better and come home to your Father? Jesus is tenderly calling for all lost sinners to come home. Today could be your day, if only you will take that first small step.

John 14:2
In My Father’s house are many
mansions; if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a
place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again and
receive you to Myself; that where I
am, there you may be also.