ONE DAY I was at a local garbage dump where people cast off everything they do not want. I too was throwing away some junk, and was surprised to see three small children sorting through the piles of trash and waste. They seemed to have picked up quite a collection.
There was a dirty sweater, a big soiled Panda bear, almost as big as one of the little boys, an unsightly rag doll, and an old beat-up drum. They paid no attention to me, for they were completely absorbed in searching for more “treasures.” A little while later, while returning from a call, what do you suppose I saw? Marching down the main street were three small children, carrying what they considered to be rare treasures. There they were in line, a little boy clinging tightly to a big dirty Panda bear; behind him followed a drummer boy, beating on an old banged-up drum; then last in the parade came a little girl wearing a discolored sweater and hugging an old rag doll. But their faces were beaming, their smiles were as wide as could be with happiness over what they had found.
It was a sight long to be remembered. And I thought, How many there are like those little children, seeking pleasure among the ruins and garbage of this world. So many think happiness can be found on earth, and they do not concern themselves with eternal things, but only live for the present.
These little folks were as happy as they could be for the time, but their joy was not for long. The next day, while going down the same street, I saw atop a garbage can awaiting collection, a big, soiled Panda bear, a tattered rag doll, and an old beat-up drum, and a sweater of uncertain color. Yes, dear young friends, this world’s joys do not last long, at best Today’s treasures are either faded or gone tomorrow. “What is your life? it is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
But there is a treasure, precious beyond all others — and that is Jesus and His love. Christ is a treasure that will never fade away, for in Him is life everlasting, and those who know Him as their Saviour have life everlasting too.
Is Christ your treasure, dear young friend? If not, you can have Him today if you will open your heart’s door and receive Him by faith. He will wash all your sins away and lead you in the way everlasting. Then you will know what real happiness is.
ML-07/05/1970