Treasured Possession
Treasured Possession
A Question Worth Sitting With
If Jesus had begun with your worst moment, where would you be?
When the religious leaders dragged the woman caught in adultery into the street, they were certain they were helping. (John 8:3–11)
They had Scripture.
They had evidence.
They had behavior to correct.
But Jesus knelt in the dust.
He protected her before He corrected her.
He silenced the accusers before He addressed her sin.
Only after her dignity was restored did He say,
“Go and sin no more.”
Belonging came first.
And when Zacchaeus hid in a tree — compromised, corrupt, despised — Jesus did not demand reform. (Luke 19:1–10)
He said,
“I’m coming to your house.”
Presence before repentance.
Invitation before restitution.
And Zacchaeus changed.
Where We Often Start
There is a quiet instinct in religious spaces:
“If I fix what you’re doing, I’m helping you.”
Correct the behavior.
Adjust the practice.
Remove the questionable thing.
But Scripture says,
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
God has never started with behavior.
He has always started with the heart.
When we start with behavior, we often miss the heart that needs healing.
I know what it feels like to wonder if I am enough —
to quietly believe that if I just fixed one more thing, I would finally be safe with God.
There were years when I thought holiness meant constant correction —
and I grew tired of trying to fix myself.
Maybe you have too.
Maybe you’ve felt like an improvement project.
Like you are one mistake away from disappointment.
Like you must adjust something before you can come close.
So you reach for something tangible.
Our Tangibles
Every tradition has its tangibles.
Some carry a rosary.
Some carry a leather-bound Bible like a shield.
Some lean on theological precision.
Some rely on spiritual experience.
Some cling to moral performance.
The forms are different.
The instinct is the same.
We reach for something we can hold because trusting Someone we cannot control or see feels vulnerable.
Sometimes the things we use to measure others are the very things we are using to steady ourselves.
But Jesus keeps inviting you to Himself.
Segullah
And if you still wonder how God sees you,
listen to the language He chose.
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is Mine.” (Exodus 19:5)
All the earth is Mine.
And yet,
You shall be My treasured possession.
Segullah.
A royal treasure.
Set apart.
Held close.
Reserved for the King Himself.
I created you.
I chose you.
I desired you.
You — yes, you.
You are My most treasured possession.
Not barely tolerated.
Not managed.
Not on probation.
Not one misstep away from rejection.
Treasured.
Wanted.
Deeply loved.
Come Directly
Come to Him directly.
No interpreter.
No religious middleman.
No spiritual résumé.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace…” (Hebrews 4:16)
Not after improvement.
Not once you feel worthy.
Now.
Come in your brokenness.
Come in your confusion.
Come in your weariness.
Sit.
Soak.
Rest.
He is not waiting for a better version of you.
He takes great pleasure in you — His segullah.
Start here.
Let Him do what He does best.
What if the distance you feel is not coming from Him?
What if the thing you have been trying to fix is not your behavior…
but your belief that you are barely tolerated?
What would change if you truly believed you are already wanted and deeply loved?
Prayer
Father, quiet the voices that tell me I must improve before I am invited.
Heal the places in me that still believe I am barely tolerated.
Open my eyes to Your love.
Teach me to come to You directly — without fear, without performance, without shame.
Let Your love do what my striving never could. Amen.
