Obsessed

Read--Matthew 13:44

An obsession. Unders most circumstances, an obsession is not considered to be a healthy thing. It is synonymous with the word "addiction". Someone with an obsession, like an addiction, is most often willing to go to extraordinary circumstances, even taking huge risks, in order to feed that obsession. It is all-consuming and nothing short of the object of the obsession will satisfy the one holding the obsession.

In the parable of the buried treasure, Jesus likens the realm of God to treasure buried in a field. What is interesting, though, is the behavior of the one finding the treasure. We are told that he immediately reburies the treasure then goes and sells all he has so that he might buy the field in which the treasure was buried. He had absolutely no interest in that field aside from its buried contents. And he was so interested in obtaining (obsessed!) those contents that he gave up all he had to get it.

Jesus' call to us is to be obsessed with seeking and living in the realm of God. Jesus invites us to be obsessed with nothing more than being a part of God's reign, both on earth and in heaven. Here's the warning: an obsession with the realm of God can be just as costly as an obsession with anything else. If we are truly obsessed with God, it will demand more than we think we can give. As a reward, though, we are given the chance to see things through God's eyes and see God at work in our world. Here's the question: Are we obsessed with God and God's realm, or are we only casually interested?
Magnificent God, plant in us the desire to know you and be a part of your realm. Be our obsession; our one consuming passion. In Christ, AMEN.