Pass the Antelope, Please
Matthew 6:19-20 – Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Ranch exit.
That’s never a good road sign to see when you’re driving in the middle of Nowhere, Wyoming and you’re hungry. What felt like hundreds of miles of rolling hills, cattle and tumbleweeds stretched between me and a quick bite to eat, and my poor family had to listen to my growing complaint of the lack of food. Unprepared, I hadn’t packed us a lunch or dinner, and as the antelope (which outnumbered the people in this state) pranced by the car window, I wondered why God would have me move to such a desolate place. By that point, I also wondered what an antelope might taste like.
On my journey in life, moving to Wyoming wasn’t the last time I looked out the window and questioned God about where He had taken me. All I’ve ever wanted was to buy a house and grow roots. Moving thirteen times in sixteen years of marriage wasn’t exactly booked in my daily planner, but I’ve always wanted to be available to God to be used by Him. With my willingness, though I have often fought hard before submitting, God has stretched me and has continued to teach me many things about Him.
Following hard after God means surrendering your own dreams and making them His, sacrificing your wants with the faith that understands that God is the Provider, and relinquishing all control knowing His will is the ultimate goal. This often isn’t easy and can be quite painful, but in Matthew, it teaches our rewards are eternal where moth and rust cannot destroy. In a world that blinds us from eternity with wealth, health and happiness, it’s sometimes hard to even imagine these unseen treasures that lie ahead. But they are there, and that’s an incredible promise.
My husband and I spent almost 5 years in Wyoming where we experienced the sweetest community and developed some of our closest friendships, so when God started tugging our hearts to move to Africa, it was hard to think about leaving the place I once thought so desolate. My journey isn’t the same as yours, and God will ask you to make different sacrifices to advance His kingdom. My prayer is for you to look past the trinkets the world offers and seek the true treasures guaranteed in eternity. You might even be surprised by the blessings He sprinkles along the way.
Dear God, I want to be used by you. Help me to be available to do Your will no matter what kinds of sacrifices I need to make, and when those choices get difficult, help me to keep my eyes focused on eternity.
Amen.
