Tuesday 15 February 2011

A fish called Trevor

Last weekend a heard of us travelled up to Rostrevor on the shores of the beautiful Carlingford Lough for a youth weekend.  There was much fun to be had.

One challenge set was to trade an object of little value (a tiny bag of sweets) for something worth more.  There were four teams and the one who ended up with the greatest value item was the victor.

One team did not trade, one team managed to get hold of a bible themed stationary pack, another swapped the sweets for a miniature bottle of 'beverage' with a price sticker of dubious origin showing a value of £99.99. The last team and the winning team came home with a goldfish, 'Trevor-the-fish'.

Undoubtedly the (shaggy-dog) story associated with the mini-bottle was by far the most imaginative and it is possible that the actual price of the item was more than the fish.  But this was not about price, this was about value and what is the value of created life?

A car, a big house, two holidays a year, what do you consider too high a price to pay for a life with God?  We constantly make idols, giving them the priority in our lives over God.  We chase after material possessions, mere stuff rather than seeking after the Lord Jesus.  Those things become everything to us and yet they won't last, they won't bring joy and the won't bring life eternal.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21

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1 comment:

  1. I knew there would be an application to this story!! This is all until you put Trevor in the vase of death of course!! :)

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