Treasure Hunt

Over the past week my family went on vacation, and we enjoyed some long, meandering walks.

As we roamed and explored we’d stop to take pictures, peer across distances through binoculars or a telescope and collect all sorts of “treasures:” rocks, seashells, acorns, flowers and leaves.

We also had the chance to do a lot of shopping, including some at thrift stores and rummage and garage sales, finding many treasures there, too.

After returning home with a carload of stuff, I've come to a conclusion. I think we’re all born with a desire to find a treasure.

I've had dreams in which I visit a beach and look zealously for seashells, as if they were worth a fortune. And I've also had a dream common to many: finding a hidden room in a home. I connect these dreams with a desire for treasure, finding a hidden surprise.

I think the desire is innate because even the tiniest of us seem to like to uncover something precious. On vacation, my family watched at a fair as toddlers and preschoolers combed through sand to find buried toys, coins and knick-knacks.

Treasure hunting can amount to greed, an inordinate desire for material things. But I think God planted a desire for treasure in hearts, so that we would find Him, the ultimate treasure, as described in St. Matthew’s Gospel:

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

We all long for treasure. Let us pray we find the true treasure, the “pearl of great price,” and that we would be willing to part with everything to obtain Him.

Happy hunting, treasure-seekers.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.