Love and Treasure

I have Treasure in Jesus.

Photo by Janno Reyes on Unsplash

This has been a tough month, and we’re only halfway through! Work has been stressful. One student, who went into foster care, was out of control and unsafe in the classroom. As of a week ago, he is no longer with us. Another autistic student, who had a helper because he was unsafe in the classroom, no longer has a helper, as of the same Friday. A third, older student has been extremely emotional and unmotivated to work. Not only that, but my previous supervisor, who is still on staff doing administrative tasks, has reviewed where my students are and has stepped in to help out, which makes me feel more like a failure. On top of all that, my director admitted that she doesn’t know how things will work out in our classroom next year because we have several families who aren’t planning to return. 

Once again, I am worried that I won’t have a job next year. The stress of these things has brought me back to my word of the year, treasure, and where my greatest treasure lies, which is in Jesus.

If I lose my income, I still have my treasure. 

The Treasure of Salvation

Accepting Jesus as Lord of my life has given me the treasure of salvation, which includes a love for the Lord, a home in heaven, and the Holy Spirit as the counselor and comforter in my life. In addition, the Lord is working in my life to make me a better person and more like Jesus. 

As Aiden Wilson Tozer said,

“The man who has God for his treasure has all things in one.”

It’s because of Christ that I have a treasure more valuable than anything the earth has to offer. 

The Treasure of Love for the Lord

As I walk with the Lord, I learn who He is and what He has done for me. This cultivates and strengthens my love for Him. 

That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries. ~Proverbs 8:21

One of the things I want to strive to remember this month, in my desire to focus on “treasure,” is that my love for the Lord leads me to the wealth He has for me. As the verse in Proverbs states, the Lord will give us an inheritance if we love Him. This inheritance is “wealth” and “filled treasuries.” 

Does that verse mean we’ll have wealth in this life? Not necessarily, but I know that one thing I value more than monetary wealth is my spiritual inheritance. 

I inherit “wealth” through Christ. Even though I don’t have physical wealth, I am wealthy knowing Jesus as my savior. Trusting him with my life means that one day I will have a home in Heaven, which is something I treasure. I should live each day feeling wealthy because of it. How rich I am to have a home in Heaven! That is where my treasury lies. 

Money will eventually be spent. Even if you save it, it does nothing until you spend it. It’s usually never enough. Heaven will be beautiful, perfect, and eternal. It will meet all needs.

The Treasure of the Holy Spirit

Not only is salvation a treasure, including eternal life, but the presence of the Holy Spirit is another treasure. I am wealthy with the Holy Spirit leading, counseling, guarding, and interceding in my life. His presence and still, small voice are invaluable to me as I navigate life’s day-to-day hurdles.

We can’t see the Holy Spirit, but we can see the results of Him in our lives. We see his influence in our decisions and in our interactions with others. He gives wisdom and helps us with relationships. We see our growth, and we understand God’s Word more. 

The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart. ~Judy Garland

As Judy Garland mentions, my heart holds the greatest treasures in my life—my relationship with Jesus. It can’t be seen. It can’t be touched. But I hope that those of you who know me know that’s where my greatest treasure lies and how much it means to me. That’s the biggest reason I made treasure my focus this year. I hope you see it in me.

When you see Jesus as your Treasure, the Spirit has blown through your heart. ~John Piper

The Lord will give us treasure through Jesus Christ. Our love for Him yields treasure. Our relationship with Him is a treasure. I know this firsthand because He has already blessed me in so many ways. He’s brought me through job loss, loss of family members, starting new jobs, car accidents, losing cars, buying new cars, my child being bullied, my children in public and private school, my children changing schools, moving more times than I can count, and, perhaps the biggest, most difficult, my husband almost dying of COVID alone in the hospital. 

The Lord has proven to be more valuable than anything I could ask for or imagine. Certainly more valuable than money that must be spent and runs out in this life.

The Treasure of My Heart’s Desires

If salvation, an inheritance in Heaven, and the Holy Spirit weren’t already enough treasure in my life, God has also granted the desires of my heart.

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37:4

I have always wanted to write, but never felt I could do anything with it. However,  as some of you know, I wrote the story of my quarantines during COVID and self-published it on Amazon. Then I wrote my first novel during Nanorimo. I kept going and wrote three more novels. 

I got involved with writing groups, developed my website, began this newsletter, and joined several critique groups, two of which I started. My critique buddies are about halfway through two of my novels, and I have learned so much from them. 

I’ve met amazing people, formed connections, and developed relationships that never would have happened without my writing pursuit. I’m thankful, not only because I feel like I get to do something I enjoy that will hopefully have a positive impact on people, but also because I am touching the lives of others while I do it. Many of you are included in this, and I’m so thankful for you!

Consider Your Treasure

Do you have something in your life that you treasure, more valuable than money? If you don’t know Jesus, you are missing the most valuable treasure that exists for us. If you do know Jesus, is He your most valuable treasure?

More Stuff

I would love your support. Find me on social media (via Facebook, Instagram, TikTok (@realizeblessings), or YouTube) and share my stuff. I recently recorded two videos—one on Conflict Management (Ex. 33), and one on The Blame Game (Ex. 32).

If you want to receive monthly devotions based on my word of the year, “treasure,” you can subscribe to my email list. Sign up on my website or feel free to contact me at lisahudson76@gmail.com. Prayers are also appreciated!!