"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about this verse and what it means, what it looks like practically.  And I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s like a grubby homeless man.  Let me show you how I arrive at that conclusion.  There is a merchant who is and has been seeking fine pearls, assuming he’s been doing this for a while, he probably has a decent collection of nice pearls, costly gemstones, other things of value.  He is a merchant after all.  But one day, he finds a pearl that is more valuable than anything else he owns and in his desire to obtain that pearl, he sells EVERYTHING.  He sells his collection of other pearls and precious items, his merchant stand, his house, his camel, everything just so that he can have this pearl.  But once he does this, he has this pearl and nothing else which makes him homeless.  To me, that conjures up the image of a grubby homeless man sleeping behind a dumpster and when asked "Why are you homeless?" he holds our his hand and responds with a twinkle in his eye, "Because I gave everything in order to have this pearl.  It is more precious to me than anything else in this world."  A grubby homeless man who gave everything in order to have a pearl.

Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like that, something so valuable that a person would give everything in order to obtain it.  Which to me begs the question, do we have that mindset?  Are we willing to give everything in order to obtain this pearl of great value?  Or rather are we like a man who finds a pearl of great value, gives as little as possible to obtain it, then takes it around hoping that it will get him more to add to his collection?  All too often I fall into that second category, and I see the Christians around me doing the same.  Not wanting to give everything for the sake of knowing Christ, but rather claiming Christ in the hopes that it will get them to heaven, get them material wealth and prosperity, health, etc.  And I can’t help but know that that breaks Gods heart and is a slap in the face of the crucified Christ.  And that just kills me to know that I do that…what about you?

I’ve been reading lately about a young woman named Katie Davis who understands that preciousness of knowing Christ and has willingly sacrificed a great deal in order to care for "the least of these" in Uganda (you can read her blog by clicking on "The passionate pursuit of God continues…").  Her story challenges and encourages me immensely.  I’m challenged because her example causes me to examine where my heart is in the work I am doing in Kenya.  Am I just doing it just to do it?  Or am I doing it because it was a command of Christ and by trusting Him for the work I am being drawn closer to Him?  I am encouraged because as i think about my generation, I have to ask myself how many girls like Katie I know.  Or even how many guys who have a similar mindset.  And to be entirely honest, the lists are very short…  We have a great cloud of witnesses in those who have gone before, like Peter, Paul, the other disciples, Hudson Taylor, George Meuller, Brother Andrew,  Jim Elliot, and so many more.  But who in my generation is going to say, "I count ALL things as loss for the sake of knowing Christ!" (Philippians 3:7-11)?  Who?!

I’ve thought a lot about a verse in the song "Hosanna" by Hillsong United that says, "I see a generation/ rising up to take their place/ with selfless faith/ with selfless faith/ I see a near revival/ stirring as we pray and seek/ we’re on our knees/ we’re on our knees" and I want to know that it’s not just a cry of longing from the songwriter, but that it’s a tangible reality.  And I know that it has to start with someone, somewhere.  God, make me a vessel that you can use!  One that you can use to pout out on others your grace and love.  Break my heart for what breaks yours, and then use me to do something about those things.  I can’t live with mediocrity and complacency any longer, ignite an unquenchable fire in my heart and soul for these children and for the people around them.  Use me, use CTM in any way you choose.  Not my will, but yours.

~Eli

To listen to "Hosanna" click here Hosanna-Hillsong United.