Treasuring 2026
Will you join me?
I pulled the neck-gator over my head and stretched it back up to cover my nose. The spandex head-cap came next, followed by a helmet and goggles. I straddled the ATV and my thumb found the throttle. Soon we were stirring up dust in the Arizona desert, maneuvering around saguaro cacti and huge rocks. For hours, I didn’t think about Jesus, or Christmas, or any of life’s problems, which are always at the forefront of my mind; I saw only the trail in front of me, and second-by-second, I strategized how to tackle each obstacle without crashing.
I woke up on Christmas morning and tried to lift my arm, curious as to why my body was a bit sore. Ah, yes, I’m a teenager stuck in a middle-aged body. I laughed at myself as I brewed my Christmas coffee. I laughed again, but this time I was giggling at Hubby walking down the hallway. Our eyes met, and this time, we laughed together. All was calm, and all was bright, and we both were sore on Christmas morn as we opened God’s Word.
It never ceases to amaze me how I can read the same passage of Scripture countless times, and something new pops out at me. As we read Luke 2, the repetition of Mary’s heart stirred mine.
First, an angel speaks to the shepherds, telling them about Jesus. The shepherds leave their sheep and find Jesus, telling Mary and Joseph how they knew.
“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple for dedication. The old, righteous, and devout man Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and blesses Him. As Simeon holds Jesus, he proclaims, “My eyes have seen your salvation.”
“And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.” (Luke 2:33)
When Jesus was twelve, Mary and Joseph brought him to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. On their return home, they realize He is missing. Three days later, Jesus is found. His response? “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
“And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51b)
It seems like every time Mary learns something new about Jesus, she opens a treasure chest and stores up more and more valuable information about her Son. She ponders what is said about Jesus, replaying the words in her head. She marvels at the things Simeon says about her baby. Mary wants to remember every word, because every word is a treasure.
In a few days, a new year will be upon us. Riding an ATV through the desert is now checked off my bucket list, but I’ve decided to add something new.
Treasuring.
Do I treasure Jesus as Mary did? Do I read the Word of God and marvel at it?
I’m changing my tune this year, shaking things up from my daily routine of the past few years (possibly the past decade?). I might read through the Bible this year, but that is not my goal. My goal is to treasure God’s Word, and in doing so, treasure Jesus. I’m not following a plan. I’m not checking off a box on a folded piece of paper in my Bible each day to hold me accountable to reading through the Bible this year. There is absolutely nothing wrong with reading through the Bible this year, and if you have never done it, please DO!!!! But for me, this year, I’m going to take it slowly. My thumb is not on the throttle. I’m not stirring up dust in the desert. I’m going to ponder, treasure, and marvel at the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
And He will steer me through each obstacle, second-by-second, because He’s in control.
Will you join me?
Happy New Year!
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash