The Beginning

“Finding the treasure is only the beginning of the search”
~Henri Nouwen Source: The Inner Voice of Love

I find this an interesting way to look at a treasure hunt, that the job is only partly done once the treasure is found. In our Western culture it seems that we have been indoctrinated with the idea that finding the treasure is the final goal. This logic certainly negates the teaching that joy is found in the journey and not in the destination and it leaves out the part that another journey begins after the treasure is found.

Following are the words to ‘Joy in the Journey’, a song by Christian musician Michael Card which speaks of the Christian journey toward a treasure:

There is a joy in the journey, there’s a light we can love on the way.
There is a wonder and wildness to life, and freedom for those who obey.
And all those who seek it shall find it, a pardon for all who believe,
Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind.
To all who’ve been born in the Spirit, and who share incarnation with Him,
Who belong to eternity, stranded in time, and weary of struggling with sin.
Forget not the hope that’s before you, and never stop counting the cost
Remember the hopelessness when you were lost.
There is a joy in the journey, there’s a light we can love on the way.
There is a wonder and wildness to life, and freedom for those who obey.

I began writing this a week ago, before I had surgery to remove the screw from the bone in my foot that I broke last January. The procedure was more intense than I had expected it would be. So I’m waiting to feel the Joy, waiting for the release from the pain and discomfort that I had expected would come immediately after the surgery. And I’ve been reflecting on how to finish this letter I started.

What comes after one finds their treasure? I’m sure we’ve all heard stories about how a large number of lottery winners end up broke within a short period of time after receiving their treasure. And we’ve also heard the stories of those who feel the need to hoard their treasure instead of sharing it. And I’m sure there are many, who like me, expected immediate relief from whatever they felt burdened by. Although, I had no doubt I was to have the screw removed (was I obeying? I’m not sure.), I missed the mark (sinned?) by expecting immediate relief. Sometimes I wonder if God will someday lose patience with me for hastily jumping to the conclusion I think I want and need.

Then God sends a reminder of God’s love for me, renewing my belief that we all have been invited to experience the “Joy in the Journey… and the wonder and wildness of life” and I begin to move along again on my journey, trusting in the love of the Ultimate Guide to the treasures of this life, Jesus, the Christ.

How is your journey progressing? What treasure are you seeking? May you always remember, God has better things in mind for us than anything we can imagine and hope for.

Faithfully,

Tracy Moore


Tracy Moore lives in Michigan with her husband, Terry, and volunteers her time and energy as our prayer team leader.  She is a trained spiritual director.