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You've probably seen one of the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies and of course, you probably know the name Jack Sparrow. Basically all the movies deal with getting either treasure, eternal life, or something else they do not have at the time. Each movie begins with the premise that they are seeking something they don't have and it drives all they are and all they do to get that one thing. The funny thing about pirates is they can be deceived so easily to the point it's almost comical. They get their hands on one treasure and lose their ship. They get their ship and their treasure falls overboard, or someone (or a monkey) slips off with the whole thing. They live a comedy of errors that can become almost more than a viewer can handle because it is frustrating to watch.
Even more frustrating than watching it is living it. The struggles of the Christian life are sometimes more than we can handle and frustration becomes the norm more than happiness. It's just the way life is sometimes and believe it or not, there is a better way to live. Just like the pirates we get the treasure that satisfies our longing (Jesus) and over a period of time, we lose sight of our purpose and then we start misplacing part of this glorious treasure. Things begin to disappear and part of our treasure is gone and we can't figure out where it went. Things like time, talents, service, giving, sharing, etc. begin to leak out of this treasure chest we have called the Christian Life and we begin to get frustrated. But we keep on looking for more treasure and what seems like one adventure after another, becomes one disappointment after another. Whew...Soon it gets to the point where we feel like we don't have anything left in our treasure chest and we scrape our hand over the bottom of the chest and find that it is empty. We become discouraged and then God taps us on the shoulder and reassures us that we still have our treasure. We ask how that can be when we didn't feel anything in the chest. Then God reminds us of a very important fact. The real value is found in the treasure chest itself. Suddenly a light goes off and we start to think of what we can get for this treasure chest and God reminds us, "It's not for sale." That is your treasure and yours alone. Then in the stillness of the utter purity of thought you realize, "the treasure is me."
Jesus gave His life for our life. He took the sin penalty and paid it all on Calvary. Our value became priceless when He died for our sins on the cross and it has kept it's value ever since. It is only devalued by our lack of understanding about the value of this life that now mirrors the Son of God. In Job 22:25 it says, "God Almighty will be your treasure, more wealth than you can imagine." In other words, our treasure is found in God and Him alone. Oh, we will realize wealth (hopefully) on this earth, but it pales in comparison to the riches of God. Luke 12:34 says, "It's obvious isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." If you have a good perspective about where your real treasure is, then you can hand in your pirate rig and quit searching. You have completed your task. In the Pirate's Movies Jack Sparrow has a compass that points to what he really desires in his heart. It never lies. Where does your compass point? Toward God? It should!! If He is what you treasure, you will always be rich and complete. If not, you will be found "wanting." Sad, to follow the map and then not accept the treasure. Kind of dumb too.
So, you have made the turn. You've taken off your pirate's hat and given up the wild escapades that come with being dissatisfied. The search is over and now you can.....share the wealth with others. Then the treasure starts to pay dividends that are eternal. It's doesn't mean you will be perfectly happy all the time, but it will mean you will be complete and rich. 2 Corinthians 4:7 says, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves." The real treasure is seen by God's power being revealed in us.
Final thing.....We can't do any of this on our own. It's all God. Job realized this and trusted God. Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:13-18 and told him to guard his treasure, so he would not fall away and start looking for treasure elsewhere. The reason he told him this was because he knew some others who were followers that went back into the pirate life and started treasure hunting again. They missed the boat....oooo sorry, when it came to finding the real treasure. If you know Christ, realize the treasure is in you the treasure chest. That treasure chest is filled with God's riches and He has entrusted it to you to guard and take care of. Do so with faithfulness, because His call on your life is to do just that. Be FAITHFUL WITH WHAT HE HAS GIVEN YOU.
David Warren
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