Where your treasure is...

"For where your treasure is there will your heart be also" (Luke 12:34).
          Where or what is your treasure today? We all have things or people in our lives that we treasure or cherish. A treasure is considered something valuable, full of worth. Stories have been told over the years of hidden treasures eagerly sought after by pirates and other adventurers, men and women who spared no expense or effort to pursue some hidden treasure.
           But today, in the real world, our treasures are not encased in a treasure chest buried some feet below the earth and marked with an X to guide all adventure seekers to its sacred spot. Realistically for us, our treasures can be found in relationships, our jobs, our hobbies or even our material possessions such as cars, houses, etc. Our treasure is anything or anyone we consider of high value, that we even feel we can't do without. We may invest all of our time, energy and finances into this "treasure".
But do you know something? I think God considers us His treasure. God made the greatest of sacrifices just to provide us with His precious gift of salvation. He loves us and cherishes us so much that He doesn't want us to go to hell - where we do deserve to go because of our sin - and has therefore made a way of escape for us. God loves us that much. We are His treasure. 
          But is this feeling reciprocated? No, many times, unfortunately, it is not. We run to Him and commit ourselves to Him, not out of love but out of a desire to escape hell. We understand the gift of salvation but few of us have a desire to spend eternity with God. Many wonder what heaven will be like and don't feel too enthusiastic about going there except for the fact that it beats going to hell.
In my own life, I know what it's like to see God and treat Him not as a treasured possession but more as a convenience. When I'm in trouble and need help I know exactly where to run. I know how to pray more, worship and praise Him more. Unfortunately, as soon as the problem even seems solved, I don't need Him anymore and I go right back to the earthly treasures in my life: family, friends, even worldly possessions. My prayer life lags and my praise and worship seem like an uphill battle. But God has brought me to the point where I'm finally, I think, learning to just lean on Him more and more and trust Him. I would like to think He is slowly but surely becoming a real treasure in my life; a treasure that truly gives me joy and peace. You see the other "treasures" make me feel happy, but it's a temporary happiness based on circumstances and situations. With God, on the other hand, as I surrender more and more to Him, I'm able to see His value and His worth in my life. I'm able to say, "God I trust You with every fibre of my being, because I have the confidence that whatever You allow in my life especially the bad and painful things, You're going to work it all out for my good."
          If God is our treasure just as much as we are His, loving Him will be more natural and the prospect of seeing Him and spending eternity with Him will be something to look forward to. And the nice thing about God is we can run to Him with any problem including where it concerns our relationship with Him. If we ask Him to work on our hearts and help us to love Him more and more each day, He will help us. Why? Because He knows us and He knows what is in us and He is willing and able to help once we ask. So let's be honest with ourselves and with Him and ask for His help even in this area. He loves us and wants the best for us more than we even want it for ourselves. When we make Him the centre of our lives then and only then we will be truly fulfilled.