“It’s Worth It”

Distraction: ”unable to concentrate because one’s mind is preoccupied”. It can be caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety; social media, cell phones, the world situation can all contribute to being distracted. When distracted I can easily not “put first things first”.

Too often I can read thru the scripture and it doesn’t seem to penetrate my soul; I read it but I’m distracted. Yet other times and it hits me like a “ton of bricks”. Today’s mass reading from Matthew 13 is one of my very favorite passages. It’s made a big difference in my life over the past many years. It again caught my attention today.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Mt. 13:44-46)

By the grace of God,  50 years ago I recognized that Jesus was the “treasure in the field…the pearl of great price” and was worth selling all to have it. My life did a 180 degree turn and began to revolve around Jesus Christ as my Lord. Over this time I’ve made fundamental decisions to obtain that treasure and to guard it carefully. While there have been many times where I was distracted and took my “eye off the ball” or off the treasure (this is called sin), I was able to turn back.

So today when I again heard this great passage, my heart began to perk up, my pulse began to increase, other distractions started to wain. Wow, Jesus is worth everything. He is the pearl of great price. Dave, don’t allow the glitter of the world to cause you to take your focus off the Lord. 

So, let’s remind each other that the things of this world are passing away; only what’s done in Christ will last. Let us continue to sell all for Christ. Let’s not allow “pleasure, prestige, power” or worry and anxiety about the things of the world to distract us from what’s most important. Lord help us to keep our eye on the prize.  

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) 

Let’s allow God’s word to penetrate the fog that can confuse and distract us. As we do this, the mist will dissipate and the view of our beautiful Lord will come into focus and we will realize that Jesus, the pearl of great price, is worth it. And that is very good news.