Treasures in the Dark Places

I was writing in my journal when I heard this quote over the radio.

“God hides his most precious treasures in the midst of our most difficult and painful experiences.” – Jon Bloom 

(Photo Credit)

What do you think? Do you find treasures in your difficulties? For me these words came at a perfect time. I had just been writing a list of fears that were resulting from some tough experiences.

I stopped listing fears and began wondering what treasures might be hidden among my difficult experiences.

Time to search…

The treasure is NOT control over how these experiences will resolve! I’ve had to admit that control is not in my power. I have many questions, including, “Will all this really be OK?” There appear to be no answers in sight. At least not in my sight. But even as I question I am reminded that God has promised He is good. He is my Father. He has chosen me to be His son.

Regardless of circumstances.

So the treasure I find hidden among my circumstances, fears, and questions is the promise of God’s goodness.

More digging….

This morning I heard Jason Gray’s song “Glow in the Dark.” Several lines embraced my heart.

Don’t be ashamed of your past
If you’re shattered like a piece of glass
The more broke you are the more the light gets through
Show your wounds and your flaws
Show them why you still need the cross
Let them see the work He’s doing in you

We can all remember times when our lives seem to be laying in broken and shattered pieces. When this happens I want to hide so others do not see the mess I am. The evil one tempts me to be shamed and guilt-ridden by my brokenness.

But here is the treasure that I could miss. My broken pieces are actually opportunities for God to work. Christ transforms broken pieces into our testimony of His love and power. 2 Corinthians 4: 7 says it this way,

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (NIV)

The hand of God…

I am reminded of a “heart picture” God showed me some time ago. A hand had reached down into black muck and filth to grasp a treasure laying at the bottom. That hand, fingers clasped around the treasure, was now drawing back up to the surface where that treasure would be cleaned and revealed.

Isn’t this how God works? He is our treasure who reaches into our human brokenness to rescue us. He then presents us as His treasure created to reveal His power and glory.

Especially in our “most difficult and painful experiences.”