The Word that Stopped my Heart

Jan 29, 2018Find joy today

A few weeks ago, I had lunch with a friend in the publishing industry. He’s a veteran of publishing, a few years my senior. We caught up. We talked shop. But then he asked me what he could pray for.

“Pray for my discouragement in this industry,” I asked.

(And he must’ve prayed like the dickens because, whoa, how things have beautifully turned around, both circumstantially and in my  heart.)

He looked at me, then said four words that changed me. “You are a treasure.”

Treasure.

That word, it reverberated through me. My heart leapt in that way it does when I feel like I’ve heard holy words, and my feet stood on holy ground. I felt that inkling from the Lord that I was to not only listen, but to pay rapt attention, and continue to think on that word.

Treasure.

We finished our lunch, and he went on his way.

But that word kept messing with me, in the best way, actually.

I thought of the parable of the man finding a treasure in a field, then selling all he had to purchase the field. I knew that was a picture of the kingdom. Jesus is that treasure, and we sacrifice everything for that kingdom treasure.

But the Gospel also reverses the parable, doesn’t it? Jesus doesn’t ask us to do what He hasn’t already performed. The Gospel is Jesus finding a treasure in a field (people in the world), selling everything (He left heaven, became a person, sacrificed his life, paid the price) to obtain the treasure–our salvation.

I don’t want to make the Gospel about me. Of course Jesus is the highest possible treasure. The world doesn’t spin on its axis for me, nor did I have anything to do with its rotation. But so many times, I forget the beauty and audacity of the gospel. That Jesus died for us–a crazy bunch of sinners. He risked it all to bring His kingdom to earth.

In this way, He treasured me.

Say it out loud with me, I am treasured. I am a treasure. I am valued. I am wanted. I am sacrificed for. Jesus gives me worth.

I don’t know about you, but I need to remember that truth this Monday morning. How about you?

SIDE NOTE: The Restory Show will start its fifth season on February 12th. We’ll have a bonus episode next Monday where I’ll announce something exciting, so stay tuned.

5 Comments

  1. Ralph Chen-Green

    Hi Mary

    Great to see Anna & Robin also.
    Thanks so much for being vulnerable and opening your heart once again.
    “A broken and contrite heart, He will not despise.”

    This is a incredible revelation — that we are God’s treasure and immensely precious to Him. That He passionately pursues us.
    May His people begin to grasp this.
    And be radically altered
    To truly change their mindset from just Saved Sinners to Royal Sons and Daughters

    I believe that this is one of the most profound messages that I have read on your blog:
    “I am treasured.
    I am a treasure.
    I am valued.
    I am wanted.
    I am sacrificed for.
    Jesus gives me worth.”

    It ties in with Isaiah 43:4
4
    Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
 and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
 nations in exchange for your life.

    He is so so amazing.
    He keeps whispering HIs love.
    It reminds me of words from a song from Jesus People days by Annie Herring:
    “Tell me you love me.
    “Say it again
    “Over and over
    “Without end.”

    And He delights to keep speaking His love.

    A couple of days later on another email devotional the same idea came up about seeking the Treasure in The field. This was just “by chance” of course.

    ‘When he had found one pearl of great price…[he] sold all that he had and bought it.’ Matthew 13:46 NKJV

    Let us be a Community that experientially knows His Grace and Truth.
    Then dispenses Grace and Truth into His Community
    For that is what Jesus did.
    “Grace and Truth came though Jesus Christ” John 1:17

    Shalom

  2. DragonLady

    Oh, how I needed these words this morning!

  3. Robin

    Mary, I’m so glad for these life-giving truth-speaking words that lifted your spirits. Praise God. I also read Anna’s response about Peter Lawrence. I was struck with how easy it is for those in ministry, including me, to not realize the impact of our lives while we go about doing life, always praying and hoping we will someday make a difference. When we are making a difference all along. I struggle with this all the time and must constantly tell myself numbers don’t really matter. Followings don’t really matter. People matter. Being obedient matters. Heart matters. It’s a battle for me more than not. Maybe for those who take ministry seriously and want to be used by God, such discouragement is a common tool of our adversary to keep us down. This is all eye-opening to me. Thank you for your encouragement once again. With Love.

  4. Anna Smit

    Tears reading this. Such truth, Mary. Thank You, Jesus for this man who spoke Your words.

    I only just re-read portions of Peter. H. Lawrence’s book “The Spirit Speaks”, a man who pioneered in ministry and saw God physically heal so many through him. I was again so moved by these words, written on his deathbed:

    “My life had often been one of tiredness, going from one thing to another, one appointment to another, speaking, ministering, just trying to get through in life. Trying to do what was right, but haunted by the fear of failure and always wanting to succeed, for my dad, or for Jesus, or for me.

    Now everything’s changed. When you are lying on a bed knowing that you may not live and may never work again, but Jesus is there covering you – because He has died for you – nothing else matters. He has put you right with God and with people, and even now is putting me right with myself. I can’t do anything now to save myself, but because of the vision,
    the presence of Jesus, and knowing what He has done for me, I feel washed, cleansed, and renewed.” Oh how easily we forget this beautiful truth. I’m so thankful He keeps slowing me down and humbling me to receive it – again and again.

    • Mary DeMuth

      I love that quote, Anna!!