I remember going with my mother to her friend’s house. Her friend had called and said, “Come over and see my living room, Carpenter’s just delivered my new furniture.” I went with mom to her friend’s house. I could tell when she met us at the door she was surprised to see me, a 10-year-old boy. She was so excited as she escorted mother to show off her new living room.

The first thing I noticed was the plastic walkway on the new carpet. All the furniture was covered in custom made plastic covers. Even the pillows were covered. Note, a person could buy custom plastic covers for their furniture then. It offered protection from little boys like me. But her protection started at the door when she told mother I could stand at the door and look in.

On our way home, mother changed my perspective on the experience when she told me, “Now you do know she has never had children or little boys, and they have spent a lot of money on that room. She means well.” Some time later I did get to sit on the plastic covered couch. I remember my legs sticking to the plastic when I got up. Looking back, I recognize this was her treasured room.

We all have treasures & treasured rooms. It’s the things we value the most. It’s the things that we make time for and will spend whatever it takes to have and protect. Protect!

As children, we never locked our doors. We left the keys in our car, and we didn’t even have seat belts. There were no warnings on our stepladders, and it was common to see pickups with guns in the gun rack in the school parking lot. But today, we have alarm systems in our homes & cars. Many young children have cell phones so they can be instantly connected with their parents and with the added protection of tracking devices on the phones. The thought of not having a cell phone is unthinkable.

But with all the protection we now have, why are we so anxious? Is it because of what we treasure? Not that our family and “stuff’ is not important, but the level of anxiety drives the question, “What is the most important?” Then the next question is, “How do I protect what I treasure the most?”

If you are tired of worrying about losing, I point you to the source of Hope & Authority, Jesus. We know from scripture what we should treasure most. When the Jewish leaders questioned Jesus, He responded with, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-39) Notice what is missing… “stuff”.

So, if God is to be the treasure in our life, how do I get the treasure? Scripture is clear, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Then God gave us an example. It’s the clarity at the Cross of Jesus. On each side of Jesus were criminals being executed. One mocked Jesus, the other cried out to the King of Kings, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43). Then Jesus makes us a promise. A Promise signed in His blood., “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

Think about it. No matter how much money & power you have, the world’s protection cannot protect you. Only Jesus has the full power & authority to transform your fear into Peace. It’s the Peace found in His Presence. Paul said it this way in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

He’s ready and right where you are. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20