Introduction

The people of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Hickman, Neb., have organized a Spirit-Driven Task Force, bringing together almost forty members who have committed to a year of study, prayer, reflection, and deliberation to discern how God is calling the congregation to renewal for the sake of his mission.

This is the fourteenth of a series of weekly meditations with the aim to inspire reflection and encourage conversation among the members of the task force as we journey together in obedience to our Lord’s calling to serve him.

Author

Susan Hansen, a member of the Spirit Driven Task Force and its Steering Committee.

Scripture

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” —Matthew 13:44, New International Version

Meditation

How do we seek God and His Kingdom? Do we seek Him wholeheartedly? With joyful abandon? With intention and purpose? In the humility of being one redeemed by God? Willing to bear the cost as He redeems others?

Or do we come to worship as Sunday’s morning obligation? Rushed and distracted? Tired and defeated? Passively participating? Offer no more of a tithe than just enough? Blind to our egos and to God’s grace? Seeking self-fulfillment?

Do we enter joyfully into communion with God who is with us and in us? Do we seek expecting to meet the risen Christ? What a priceless gift God promises us! Our wealth and worth comes from receiving His gift of the Holy Spirit and is compounded as we open our hearts and minds to His wisdom, grace and purpose.

Here are a few additional Scripture passages to ponder this week as we meditate upon the parable of God’s kingdom as treasure hidden in a field.

• Proverbs 2:3–5
• Jeremiah 29:13
• Matthew 6:21
• Luke 2:17–19 and 2:49–51
• Colossians 1:27
• Colossians 2:2.

Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, may your selfless love be the desire of our hearts. In Jesus’s name, Amen.