And the Lord declared this day that you are His people, His special treasure, as He promised. Deuteronomy 26:18 (NLT)

"His special treasure"...the first thing that came to mind when I heard that phrase was a treasure box full of gold, diamonds and rubies, sapphires, emeralds...Beautiful yet unattainable. Isn't that a treasure? Then I thought of Addi. Addi's favorite possession is booboo, her patched blanket. Yes, she would not trade booboo for Disney World or diamond rings. Booboo is her special treasure. Booboo goes everywhere with us. Booboo is at the breakfast table after Addi sleeps with her head on Booboo. Booboo is there to snuggle with whenever Addi needs comfort. Booboo is never out of sight.

His "special treasure": this phrase has become one of my favorites over the last few years as I seek to find my identity in Christ. At first I thought of myself being His treasure of jewelry, and yet that thought made me so untouchable. God does not want us to be untouchable, HE wants to hold us, communicate with us, walk beside us, cry with us, rescue us, provide for us, and be in relationship with us. Just as Addi holds her Booboo and snuggles in with her thumb in her mouth; God, the Creator of the Universe, longs to hold us gently to His chest and cherish us.

When I tell young women that they are God's "special treasure", some of them cry, but most of them just sit there as if they have never thought about being that precious to God. Somehow, for most of them, it seems too much to accept that God treasures them. Elizabeth, one of my dear friends, grew up in a wonderful home. She was the valedictorian of her class, and yet her sophomore year she ended up with an eating disorder. Elizabeth was very sad and defeated and believed she was a disappointment to God. As I spent a few years with Elizabeth, I introduced her to another part of Jesus that she had not seen before in church. The Jesus who adores her, loves her unconditionally, and treasures her. Jesus, that loves her where she is not where she thought she should be. The reality of this Jesus changed Elizabeth's view of herself over time. And she is still telling herself she is treasured by God.

Our nature is not to tell ourselves that we are a treasure. Why does it take us so long to believe and accept that we are dear to the heart of God? The world tells us the opposite that we are not touchable, that God is not concerned with the details of our lives. Sometimes even religion tells us that. Doesn't the world tell you that God is a spiritual unknown Being, not a loving Father? What if the world is wrong? What if God really treasures you? Would that change the way you see yourself? God says He knows how many hairs are on our heads, who else knows you so deeply that they counted the hair on your head? When Addi gets a spot on Booboo she notices, don't you think the Creator of all notices when you are sad or lost? He does, He cares about you and the details of your life.

"Our deepest need is for the inexhaustible power of the love of Christ." "The miracle of Christianity is that this need is already met." (The Signature of Jesus pg 31 by Brennan Manning) We need to know that He treasures us. The belief that we are treasured by the Savior of the world changes everything. Because when we grasp how much God loves us, we gain freedom to love ourselves. Our core foundation must be founded in the truth that we are loved, treasured and desired by Jesus. Out of that reality we find real life and our soul needs met.

Scripture: Romans 8

Answer

• 1. Have you ever felt treasured?
• 2. Do you feel special to God?
• 3. What would change in your life, your heart, your emotions if you believe that you are God's special treasure?

Jesus,

I want to believe that You treasure me. I want to know that I am dear Your heart. Please silence the voices in my head that tell me that You are aloof, uncaring, and too busy for me. Change my core belief about You and how you value me. I want to know that I am a special treasure and that You delight in me.(Psalms 18:19)

In Jesus name