Where's Your Treasure At?

Have you ever had that nagging feeling that you're walking through life in lack?

Lack in finances?

Lack in relationships?

Lack in purpose?

For me, I get this feeling more often than I'm comfortable with. I believe this exists because it was brought on by the sin of Adam and Eve. The serpent deceived them into believing that they were lacking in knowing the full truth of God's heart for them. That He simply didn't want them to eat from the Tree of Good and Evil because then they would be like God.  They took notice of what the serpent was saying, looked at themselves (even though they were clothed in God's glory) and chose to believe the lie that they were lacking.

I do the same EXACT thing!!!

I look around on all the goodness God has given me: my wonderful family, a beautiful place to live, way too many clothes in my closet, an overabundance of food in my fridge and still I feel like I need more. That buying those boots will top it all off! It will make me finally have it all!

Such a lie...Why do I believe it?

Colosians 3:12 in the Passion Translation reads, "Christ's resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that's where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor and authority! Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm."

I've probably read this verse at least a dozen times, but God is so good in opening up His Word to us when the timing is right for our hearts to receive it. When we've finally came to a place in our walk with Him when we're finally mature enough to understand it in full.

So let's see exactly what He's saying her:

"Christ's resurrection is your resurrection too."

If you've made Jesus your Lord and Savior, your were dead in your sin but God made us alive in Jesus and we were resurrected with Him and now we sit together with Him in Heavenly places (Ephesians 2:4-6). We are redeemed from the curses brought on by the sin of Adam through Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:13). 

"Put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." (Colossians 3:13) Meaning that you are a new creation (prototype). This means that everything in you is of the resurrected life of Jesus. 

Back to Colossians 3:1, "This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that's where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor and authority."

Like it says before in Ephesians, we are in Christ, meaning our Spirit is in Christ. But our natural body and our souls are here on earth. So we yearn after heavenly things because one-third of our three part being is in heaven seated in Jesus. The coolest part is that, "Power, Honor and Authority" that Christ has, we get that too!! That's what's been given to us to overcome the lack that we feel at times. We are to be operating from that same place of victory!

Colossians 3:2 goes on, "Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm."

This is being Kingdom-Minded instead of Worldly-Minded. For Kingdom-Minded people are to focus and think on that which is true, noble, pure, lovely, "of good report," virtuous and praise-worthy (Phillipians 4:8). This verse goes on to say that if you do this, the God of peace will be with you.

When I'm focusing on my lack, it is anything but peaceful. God's peace can't dwell with me if I believe I'm being short-changed by God.

The second part of Colossians 3:2,goes onto say to not fill your thoughts with, "the distractions of the natural realm."

We live in a world of materialism. I really believe that it's been around forever. Yes, there's varying degrees of it with every generation, but for the most part, we look at what everyone else has and we want it. It's called covetousness and it's listed as a commandment NOT TO DO. God knew that mankind would do this and that it would steal our joy, cause strife between neighbors and ultimately cut off our ability to receive the fullness of what God wants to give us.

Overall, God wants us to find our fulfillment in Him. That when we are lowly in spirit we wouldn't want to go out and buy that cute pair of boots, but that we would turn to him. It's not a lack in our closet problem, it's a lack in our heart that only God can satisfy. Turn to him instead of maxing out that credit card, dating the wrong person, or putting up with abuse and bullying. We NEED to know that the only one who can bring us everlasting peace, joy and take away our sense of lack... is Jesus. He wants us to know his heart. That his heart is good through and through. That he is the ultimate Giver, Healer, Savior and Papa. 

I love the new song by Natalie Grant, "More Than Anything."

She sings, "Help me want the Healer, more than the healing."

"Help me want the Savior, more than the saving."

"Help me want the Giver, more than the giving."

"Help me want you Jesus, more than anything."

God created us so that He could love on us and for us to love Him. He wants FULL relationship with us. He wants to GIVE us exactly what we need in life to succeed. Minimalism is the new trend, keeping only what we need and love. I'm guilty of holding on to things thinking, "Well, I might use this." Or "If I run out of this, then I better have a back-up."

That's not how God's blessings flow. He gives us what we need, but we never run out. There's a heavenly supply of his peace, joy and love for us. We will NEVER run out of these blessings. So in that, we should have no fear of lack. He's a good Papa who gives His kids good things. 

I came up with a few things that I'm trying to follow so that I can get over my fear of lack (and keep my spending to a minimum):

1. Limit Social Media time or "unfollow" those people or businesses that make you feel like you need what they have.

2. Go to the store with a list of what you need and make it a challenge to yourself that you stick to it!

3. Look up Dave Ramsey and his envelope system of bringing cash for what you can buy in the store and once it's gone, it's gone.

4. Ask yourself, "Why do you feel like you need this item?" Is it because you truly need it or is it a heart issue that needs to be brought in front of Papa.

I have, by no means have succeeded in all of these, but I do feel like when I talk about it and expose this feeling of lack, I can confront it. I'd love to hear from you if you've had victory in this area of your life!!