DISPLAYING OUR TREASURES
READ: Joshua 4:1-9
And Laban said (to Jacob) “This heap
(of stones) is a witness between you and me this day…” (Genesis 31:48 (NASB)
Scripture records numerous instances
when people set up special stones of remembrance to mark God’s action in their
lives. Moses, Abraham, Joshua, Samuel,
and the elders of
Whether we realize it or not almost
every home has at least one area set aside for visual reminders of what is
considered important to its residents.
Often individual rooms have their own display reflecting the values of
its inhabitants. These exhibits provide
clues as to what its occupant considers significant—those things that sustain
or add meaning to their lives. Our own “altars” may hold a variety of
objects such as statues, medals, awards, religious symbols and paintings---each
in their own way commemorating what is considered to be sacred, significant,
beautiful or indispensable to our spiritual strength. We look to these collections for nourishment,
for courage and to remind us what we treasure and whom or what we love as well
as who we are.
Frequently, not much thought was
devoted as to which items were placed in these displays. They are often a hodgepodge of items
collected during our lifetime and which seemed important as this but since have
lost their significance or meaning.
Maybe some house cleaning is in order!!
Could the objects be arranged in such a way that the “altar” becomes a
site to remind us of something we may have forgotten—an area that encourages
reflection on who we are and to whom we belong?
What items would you place on your
“altar” to more clearly reflect your values and your relationship to God?