Treasure Hunt

Olu Jegede Devotional

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At Easter time my children looked forward to the Monday holiday. With Friday being good Friday, and Monday a government holiday, it’s an extra long weekend for the kids, and the Monday is extra fun because we have our annual family Easter egg treasure hunt.

The kids have always had enough sense to know these eggs have no spiritual connection to Easter or the resurrection of Christ, they were simply in it for the chocolate value.

I recall the most recent treasure hunt we had. The morning began with me (dad) making a bountiful and scrumptious breakfast following that, Jennifer (mom) and I would keep the kids inside while we went out to the backyard to begin the delicate task of hiding the egg shaped containers filled with candy and chocolate. There were many hiding spots to select from. We first started with on top of the swing set, under the trampoline, beside the shed or in the grill, on and on my wife and I went hiding the eggs in varying places. We made it easy enough to find for the smaller kids by hiding the eggs in plain sight, but difficult for the older children by many others in less obvious spots. After hiding them all, it was time to start.

The smaller children would be given a couple minutes head start, and of course they would find as many as they could. Occasionally, Jennifer or I would lovingly point them to one or two eggs in plain view that they overlooked. After a couple of minutes the older kids were allowed to join the frenzy. They would look literally everywhere imaginable. Overturning rocks, climbing trees and looking in flowerpots. But even the big kids would run out of places to search and we would have to give them a hint or two until all the hidden eggs were uncovered
The treasure hunt finally over the kids would run inside sizing up each other’s loot, and snacking merrily away. It was a very fun day for them.

I believe God in his own way has hidden things that he wants to reveal to us as the verse below indicates

1 Cor 2
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—

God’s treasure is wisdom that transcends this world, and the intelligence of the academic elite. It is one borne of His Spirit, that he desires to give to those whose hearts are inclined towards his. This treasure according to the scripture is hidden, in a way, much like how we hid the goodies for our kids.

However, Gods treasure hunt takes place on a much bigger arena; our lives. The treasure he has hidden is matchless divine wisdom which is bound up in Christ who is the manifested wisdom of God. This wisdom comes to us as we come to know and love his son Jesus Christ. Love seems to be a premise for the unveiling of the hidden wisdom of God, just as our love as parents, caused us to hide and reveal the treasures to our children.

That’s why the scripture says “God has prepared things [wisdom] for those who love him”.

How is your love factor for God today? Is it strong, or is it waning? Maybe you feel like you have a wisdom problem, but it could also be a love problem.

I am reminded of King Solomon, who succeeded his father David in the rule of Israel. It was because of his love for God and His precepts that God endowed him with the greatest wisdom that any human being had ever known. (see 1 kings 3)

However it was this same love for God, that having dissipated, caused Solomon to act very foolish. After having known God, and experiencing in a lifetime what most would never fathom, he somehow stopped loving God as he once did. (see 1 Kings 11). He loved his wives more than he loved his God, and through their influence he compromised on obeying Gods commands. True love is evidenced by obedience.
Jesus said ”If we love him, we will obey his commands” (John 14:15). May I add that if we love him, we will be wise, and continue to obey His commands.

As you continue to pursue Christ, check your heart for God. How is your love meter? Is your stated love for God commensurate with your acts of obedience? If it is, then have faith, for the wisdom you need resides in your heart through the spirit of God, and in due time things will be clear , and you will know what to do.

– Pastor Olu Jegede