Where do you look to find things of value? How deep do we dig to find something rare or valuable? I guess it depends on what kind of work you do. For some people, digging deep spiritually is not a regular practice. Have you ever heard that what is trash to one person is treasure to another? Notice the handoff: it needs to change hands to be trash or treasure! The hands that hold it-determine if it is gifts or garbage.
Spiritually speaking, we all have the challenge of finding our gifts. Christianity has some denominations that heavily focus on this idea. Some believe that the “gifting” you manifest is the necessary “proof” of your conversion. While I do not personally agree with this concept, I do think it misses a valuable observation.
We will find most, if not all, our gifts amongst our garbage. I do not mean right on top either. Our gifts or “gold” spiritually may be covered by years of neglecting to take out our garbage. We tend to be “garbage collectors”, holding on to the life experiences we should have thrown away a long time ago.
A few weeks ago, after getting $20.00 cash back at the grocery store, I could not find the $20.00 anywhere.. After rounding up the “usual suspects”, I went back to the grocery store and searched in the trash can where I had thrown away the receipt. My search turned up some disgusting finds, I found the $20.00 in the trash can. I found my “gift” in their “garbage”.
What this means is simply this: I valued the $20.00 high enough to go dig through the trash to get it back. I was willing to face the goo and the smell to see if they were there. At one point, a passerby asked me if I had lost something in the trash. I told him that I routinely audit grocery store trash to make sure that there were no bodies in the trash. Oddly enough, he seemed satisfied with that answer.
How valuable are you… to you?
God, in His Highest Wisdom, allows the trash of our lives to happen. The human condition, flawed and painful as it is, is ours to deal with. God knows we will face trying times and wants us to work hard at our transformation. God offers very few easy solutions; He requires us to do the work. Remember we are in partnership with God, our efforts and hard work combine with His empowerment and watchful eye to create the transformation of our souls. At the same time, we are working with God to help others in their transformation as well.
The ultimate fulfillment in life, not the temporary pleasure of this world, is found in the tough places, digging out the parts of us that do not look like Him. The precious metals, the rarest of the gems, are often found in the most scary and dangerous places and situations.
Here is a prayer I use when I realize I need to go look in the garbage for my gifts…
I have the power to transform my hardships into beauty and strength.
I will get into a positive head space, making room for the Light of the Creator, knowing that from there, anything is possible.
The challenges that lie before me are there for a reason, and the Light will allow me to learn from them and grow.
I become my potential.
All the blessings that are already mine will bring even more fulfillment and joy.
My soul’s longing will be answered and my negative situations will turn beautiful.
May today be a great day of connections and growth!
Stay Connected!
David Fournier Rev. Dr.
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