Treasures

My dad used to give me compilations of church music on cd. Some of the music I rather enjoy, while some I could live without, though the messages are nice. On one such cd, there is a song written by Steven Kapp Perry that I always liked. The music is beautiful and cheerful, and the words are inspiring. If you listen closely, it is a story about us coming to earth (represented as stars) and how difficult our time is here and how badly Satan wants to pull us down with darkness and distraction. But it counteracts that darkness by offering the Prince of Light and inspiring us to "Look Up!" toward heaven. The lyrics (see below) specifically mention how Satan distracts us with "treasures that have no life." As I listened to this song recently, I was pained by my own blinding and binding to these temporary treasures.

We know from Matthew 6:19-21 and 3 Nephi 13:19-21 that we should "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Many days, I have been a victim of spending hours with my "things" or worrying about new things I want and spending no time or very little studying the word of God and nururing eternal relationships. Satan's plan is so deceptive. In his April 2001 General Conference address, Elder Richard G. Scott asked, "Are there so many fascinating, exciting things to do or so many challenges pressing down upon you that it is hard to keep focused on that which is essential? When things of the world crowd in, all too often the wrong things take highest priority. Then it is easy to forget the fundamental purpose of life. Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. He would have good people fill life with 'good things' so there is no room for the essential ones. Have you unconsciously been caught in that trap?" I am ashamed to say that I have been. I have been so consumed with things of this world, that I have not taken the time to lay up treasures in heaven. Thankfully, there is hope for me. I have hope through Jesus Christ, the light in this dark world. If I will just look up and focus on what really matters, then maybe I can train my mind to refocus on what really matters.

Look Up! Steven Kapp Perry
"The stars fall down from heaven
and scatter upon the earth
as strangers in a strange land,
forgetting their heavenly birth.

Adrift and untethered they wander
through kingdoms of darkness and light.
Unschooled and unlearned they follow the tides
and many are lost in the night.

Chorus: Look up! Look up!
The stars in the heavens cry out!
Look up! Look up!
Your course does not lie on the earth or the sea,
it lies in the heavens above;
look up! Look up!

The prince of darkness covets
these glimmering sparks of light
and seeks to blind and bind them
with treasures that have no life.

But blazing and bright is the Prince of the Light,
revealing the mystery--
endowing the stars with his power and might,
he shows them their destiny.

(repeat chorus)

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Rejoice in the Prince of the Light!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
For stars that were fading now shine like the Son,
reflecting the light of his love--
rejoice! Rejoice!
Look up!"

If you'd like to listen here is the link.