The treasure hunt began. It was near the center of Keene where I live. I watched people going out into the fields where once had stood buildings and homes. Their metal detectors pinging and beeping they quickly covered wide swaths of the area. Every so often one would stoop down and dig something up from the ground. Sometimes a soda can tab, sometimes a utensil but every so often I heard the yelps of joy as a piece of jewelry or coin appeared.

And the kids, they were gathering all types of rocks and minerals and pieces that they were finding. Buckets were fast becoming full. In the dream I felt the presence of the Lord and I asked “what am I seeing?” His response was “hidden treasure”. I thought about that. I listened to the laughter and the screaming. Part of me felt that what was said was pretty “obvious” but I held back. (And that is how you know it was a dream. I was quiet!) Hidden treasure?

The hunt began to move towards the edges of town and the people were spreading out. But the noise was still there. The excitement was still there.

I awoke and began to ponder. A lot. For such a seemingly short dream there was a lot to think about. I finally came to the “do I write about it” place I often do.

As I talked it over I felt there were some important pieces in this for people. (Come on! Everyone wants a Goonies moment!)

It took place locally, where I “live” so to speak. My back yard. The treasure was to be found in my back yard. I come out of a culture from my early years where going “somewhere” was what people felt they were equipped to do. I had one man say to me recently, “we are an equipping church. What if I do not want to go?” “So why would you go?” I asked. Not everyone is called to go “some where”. If you are, go, and if you are not, don’t!

I wonder what I would find if I were to comb my back yard where I grew up?

Sometimes we forget about our own back yard. Our history, our culture and our treasure. They all have areas of importance. As I wrote earlier today, not every “geographical cure” is a winner. I know way too many who have moved only to find themselves when they get there. The change that was needed was in them not in going.

And what about influence? My current greatest influence is where I am now. Maybe there is a season for you like that. A lot of influence is found to come more from the nuclear blast scenario where it starts in one place and moves out. What if everyone exercised influence where they were? (It is probably less about the scatter gun approach. Shooting everywhere with the hope you will hit something.)

And what about what was found?

Coins-I believe they spoke of the prosperity that is hidden, to be opened up by wisdom and willingness.

 Gemstones-Representative of the goodness to be found in the earth. (Calling out gold or the good from one’s devastated life is an application here.) There is real treasure waiting to manifest here.

Jewelry-The creativity of God that has been given to man, to bring beauty to this earth. On earth as it is in heaven.

History-I think as we unearth history we often find the workings of His Story. (I know I lived in a community for a long time and one day I find a book from nearly 200 years ago speaking of revival in the land. Who would have known?)

I often go treasure hunting or metal detecting and plan to take my grandchildren out this year as well. I think the spiritual application is important. There is so much to be found that we are unaware of, that has been hidden from our view. That has been lost.

How important is finding treasure? I think it is a principal of the kingdom and has real importance. What if our debt was met by a found coin? (A coin a fish’s mouth for instance?) What if our need was met by a lost piece of jewelry or a gemstone’s appearance. There is a need to go “beyond”.

Does it really happen? Over the last months I have written about 2 gemstones that were discovered by children (Each was worth $15K-$18K.) A can of old coins found while walking were worth 10 million dollars! And recently load of scrap contains a 33 million dollar Faberge egg. Maybe it is the 435 year old coin found in Vancouver that will rewrite history. Or even the 1967 Corvette that was recently uncovered with just 2,996 miles on it!

And if not that, what about the million dollar ideas locked in your head? Hidden from view?

Folks, we are on a quest! (Quests often lead to questions, but they can and do lead to answers!)

One can say “today” is your day. But I am going to cut across the grain. What if today being “your day” has a lot to do with your willingness to get out there and “dig”? The promised land had big grapes but someone had to pick them and carry them. Gold needs to be panned for. Treasure needs to be uncovered. Someone needs to take the “risk” and that is where faith kicks in. Not sweaty, worked up faith but simple faith in Him. In who He is and what He has done.

I do believe there is treasure without measure. I believe there is gems and minerals of value, just waiting. So, maybe, just maybe, this is your Beverly Hillbillies moment where the Oil is uncovered and your future is changed.