The country of Serendip

There is an old story handed down from the country of Serendip (present day
Sri Lanka). In this story there were three princes who traveled the country
and quite by accident would discover amazing and unexpected things. In 1754
after discovering these stories, Horace Walpole coined the word,
"Serendipity". The basic understanding of the word I prefer would be: "The
art of finding what you're not looking for." (From Horse-Feathers, by
Charles Funk).

As I thought about this understanding of the word, I though of how much of
our Christian life is a serendipity. How many things do we find unexpectedly
which turn out to amaze us. I think that is why we sing songs like, "Amazing
Grace," or "I stand amazed in the presence "or" Oh what wondrous love."

Our journey through life with Christ, the creator and sustainer of the
universe is amazing, especially when you consider his sacrifice for and his
fellowship with us. I can hardly read any section of the scripture that I
don't find some new understanding, run across some tidbit that I've somehow
over looked in the past or suddenly awaken to a new insight. Christianity is
never boring, it is always amazing, always a serendipity.

This has always been the effect that Jesus has had upon people. In Matthew
7:28 we are told that people were amazed at his teachings and the authority
he exhibited. In Mark 10:24 we see that his disciples were amazed at his
teaching. He revealed hidden treasures unexpectedly then as he does now.

The question is, what we do with the treasure, how we deal with the
serendipity of life in Christ. Well the scripture doesn't leave us hanging
on that on that point, but gives us some instructions concerning how to deal
with these unexpected treasures.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, "Don't store up treasures here on earth,
where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and
steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy,
and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the
desires of your heart will also be." (NLT)

May your life be a continual amazing serendipity!

Russ Lawson