Treasure in the Field - A Prophetic Dream and Exhortation

Matthew 13:44-46

 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

I had a dream last week that I was on a bus full of “ministry” friends. For whatever reason, the bus decided to stop and explore a large field on route to the next ministry assignment. The field was quite expansive and lush, with one large tree near a gate that opened up into the field. When the bus stopped just at the curb near the field, a few of us got off the bus but I was the only one who crossed through the gate into the field itself and was immediately enamoured by the beauty of the field beyond the gate. The other discussed itinerary, money and how to get the best price for fuel, but I couldn't engage because of the beauty of the essence of this meadow. As dreams tend to do, I was standing under the tree in this field during the golden hour one moment, and the very next second I was yards and yards into the lush grass in the field, certain that there must be hidden treasure there under the ground. I remember the smell of greenery, and the feeling of the warm late afternoon sunrays on my skin.

The dream changed again, and I realised that the bus had taken off without me. I remember feeling more shocked and sadness than upset or afraid. Why would anyone leave this glorious field? I phoned a friend, who I knew was on the bus, and she said that she had spoken to the driver (who represents to me someone who carries great influence in the nations), and the driver said that I should have “kept up,” and in the future, if I didn’t keep up that I’d be “left behind” from that ministry bus that seemed to keep going and going.

The dream ended with me standing in the field, not wanting to leave the field even for the sake of keeping up with the ministry bus. I knew that I may have been left behind, but this field itself felt like treasure to my heart.

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1)

I’m in such a season of growth and life right now. I truly desire for HIM to be my exceedingly great reward. I desire to find the treasure hidden in the field, even if the cost is the “ministry bus.” If I have to sell everything, including my paradigm of influence and kingdom building, I will sell it ALL for the greatest reward of knowing that Treasure in the field.

It hasn’t been an easy place to come to. In fact, I’ve had some pretty intense discipline to walk through, and at times the fire has caused me to want to give up. Letting go of building in my own ways, and allowing my idea of “ministry” die – in order to truly say that HE is my great reward – has marked my life going forward.

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—” (Philippians 3:8-9).

Jesus is worthy of it all, the pearl of great price. All of my “rewards” apart from Him must always be brought to Him to be audited and yielded so that He can remain be THE treasure that I seek. Anything that doesn’t measure up must be burned up on His alter, as a sacrifice to Him. Only He can make beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

“I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you” (Psalm 16:2)

Again, it’s worthwhile mentioning that this field, this treasure, was on the other side of a gate. In the dream, I had to choose to cross through this gate in order to stand in the field, just like I had to do in my life in the natural. Gates represent thresholds, transition, crossing over, etc. It’s not always easy to cross over, but it’s indeed a choice that must be made in order to find the treasure in the field. Even if I am the only one choosing to go through that gate, I know that what lays beyond the crossing over is so much better.

Can I encourage you that regardless of the personal cost, find the treasure in the field (or as I like to call it, the Meadow). Pay the price. Release everything that holds you back. “Sell” it all, if you have to. Take all the things that you see as rewards and allow the Lord to test and weigh and measure them for true worth. If anything is lacking value, let Him burn it up as a sacrifice of praise. Take steps to cross over into that meadow, and even if you feel left out, left behind or like you are missing the bus, know that He is your everything and He has a plan for you. All the rest is rubbish compared to knowing our beautiful Jesus, who IS the treasure in the field.

 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also – Matthew 6:33

Choose Jesus....always choose Him first.

xoxo,

Mandy