Divine Mystery . . . the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

My purpose is…that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3

Ladies, one more clue to follow this week as we unravel divine mystery. We are on our way to experiencing the full riches of complete understanding that Paul wishes for us. Knowing Christ is the essential element—Christ the divine, the reality; Christ in you, the hope of glory. It’s in Christ that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. Let’s do a little digging.

In the late 60s my husband and I spent 18 months tending to the medical needs of a remote mining town (no roads in or out) in northern British Columbia. Molybdenum, primarily a strengthening agent for steel, was extracted in an open-pit mine. Dynamite charges blasted the rock, which was taken to the crusher and then ground. A flotation system using various chemical reagents separated the ore from the contaminants. The molybdenum would float to the surface to be skimmed off, dried to a powder, and packed in huge drums to be shipped to market. The tailings (discards) were dumped down the mountain, certainly a conservation concern.

Mining for wisdom and knowledge is a little like that. With Christ in us one would think we were already pure. Problem is our sinful nature, plus we’ve absorbed so many of the world’s contaminants. We need to separate all that out first to get to the real treasure. It’s not hidden; it’s merely a refining process. That’s where the Holy Spirit, also in us, becomes the reagent of enlightenment. And don’t be blasé about the discards—truth shed on the ways of the world may just point someone to Jesus.

You have the treasures of Christ in you already ladies. Digging deep for His ways, His will, His insights will only enrich your intimacy with Him. Knowing Christ fully should be our aim. But then, this lingers in my finite mind: the full riches of complete understanding will be mine only in heaven. I can only imagine the glory ahead.

Nancy P