
For those born and raised in the gold rush state of California, our elementary school state history instruction included a unit on the discovery of gold in them thar hills, and the subsequent fevered pursuit of the amber ore. I actually lived in some of those hills — the San Bernardino Mtns. — during the ‘60’s-‘80’s (yes, the NINETEEN 60’s-80’s, not the 18’s!). As a youngster, I spent many a summer day at Grout Creek amassing my own small fortune of the precious metal, at least until my parents informed me that the gold-and-black nuggets in my cache were only iron pyrite, i.e. “fools gold.” And so…I had to get a real job when I grew up.
True disciples of Jesus Christ eventually have to learn a similar lesson. There’s a whole bunch of spiritual shiny stuff laying about that appeals to the eye, that at first glance seems like the real deal, but a closer inspection reveals it to be a cleaver but empty illusion. We can chase what we’re sure is the real thing, that we know will deliver happiness and fulfillment, only discover it to be fools gold, or as the western expansion pioneers too often discovered, a mirage, but of spiritual proportions. True, the thirst was there and the energy to pursue, but when emotion drives the wagon, sometimes the eyesight goes out of focus.
The last few verses of Psalm 73 remind me that, when all the sifting and washing are done, the true treasure that remains, the treasure that moth and rust cannot destroy, is the Lord Himself. Let Him be your portion, and you’ll be truly rich.
That will always pan out.
Shalom!
Brian

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