Hidden Treasure

Have you ever chased after a hidden treasure? Have you gone on a scavenger hunt? Have you played a game that requires you to put clues together to solve a problem or mystery? While playing one of these games, have you been deceived to throw you off track?

I’m guessing not many of us have gone after a hidden treasure. After all, how many of us have found a map where “X” marks the spot? Yet, many of us have gone on scavenger hunts. They are often fun games for kids of all ages. They may even include pretty significant prizes for the winners.

There are a variety of games that require obtaining clues and solving a mystery. They range from board games to physical locations. A popular one among young and middle-aged adults is the escape room. I remember playing the board game Clue when I was a kid. I’m sure you can remember other such games you have played.

We see in today’s passage that all the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Christ. That means we must know Christ to gain the treasures of wisdom. We need to know all we can about Him. To get to know Him, we need to interact and experience Him, just like we do in our human relationships. Isn’t that how we get to know the people we know?

The Apostle Paul tells us how to know the mystery of God, which means gaining access to the treasures of wisdom. It includes being encouraged in heart and united in love. Seems simple, right? Yet, I see problems with both among fellow Christians.

First, being encouraged in heart means encouraging one another. Not simply to achieve a worldly goal but hit them in the heart. Lift their spirits. Give them a boost of confidence. Provide positive reinforcement. Challenging them to stretch their faith.

Second, being united in love. This one is tough and likely the biggest problem we face as Christians. We allow worldly concerns to separate us. It doesn’t matter if it is political disagreements, whether we use real wine or grape juice for communion, or high school rivalries. We allow our differences to cause dissention and discord. We do not unite in love. Specifically, we do not unite in the love of Christ and for Christ. We have forgotten how to disagree and remain united.

I pray we all encourage one another in heart. I pray we unite in the love of Christ. I pray each one of us will decide to love one another despite our differences. Encourage one another. Unite in love. Know the mystery of God. Seek the hidden treasures of wisdom.

Colossians 2:2-4 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.