I opened the truck door and peered inside in surprise. The black carpet was covered with gray fuzz. Mildew! We were visiting my parents to continue sorting through our stored belongings. Our truck had been sitting at their house for a while, and as a result of the Kentucky heat and humidity, mildew started taking over the carpet in the back. As I vacuumed and scrubbed, Matthew 6:19-21 came to mind. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Since we started this journey into missions, we have prayed often that the Lord would cut our ties to earthly things and help us to see more clearly the value of heavenly treasure, but I hadn’t quite envisioned it happening this way. God is faithful to answer our prayers, isn’t He?
At this point, my Prius is gone, the house, my cherished library of pastor’s books, and even our dog. But, believe it or not, I’m feeling alright! Little by little, God is aligning my values to His. And in the process, my heart is becoming more focused on heavenly priorities. Praise God! It has taken long enough.

I so easily forget that my earthly possessions, which seem so precious, are temporary and prone to decay. They are nothing compared to the worth of eternal heavenly treasure. When I look at pictures of Gogodala people, I know that to see more of them in heaven is worth all the trucks, cars, houses and books in the world.

By the way, the truck cleaned up nicely!

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