“It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Matt 6:21, MSG)

In 2010, we visited the New England part of the United States. On our last day we had a dilemma. We had only time for one more natural attraction: Artists Bluff or Bald Mountain. As you probably know, children always like to see everything. It would make them so happy. I decided we would trek with rapid speed to both places.

We had no problems exploring the Bald Mountain. However, the Artists Bluff took more climbing experience. I took off like a hare, with my oldest son close behind. My goal was to lead them to admire the beautiful Artists Bluff.

“Are you okay, papa? You are going so fast!” It truly was fun to feel like a young man once more. We bypassed a lot of people, even seasoned trekkers with their hiking poles.

We ended up at a place where there was a fork in the trail, with two possiblities and no indications. Without knowing it, we bypassed the trail to the Artists Bluff and were headed completely in the wrong direction.

In the meantime, my wife started out with out younger son in tow. As she was hiking on a sprained ankle, they proceeded more slowly; but she eventually ended up at the beautiful vista of the Artist’s Bluff. As she didn’t see us, she started calling. Eventually we heard her voice, and following the sound, we ended up there as well.

How easy it would have been to miss this blessing by hurrying too much. Yes, at times we hurry so as to make others happy. What matters most, however, is that we enjoy and love one another in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Truly I could have had better quality time with my family and with my Father if I had taken the time to leisurely visit this region. That day I started to wonder what was more important to me, and I realized that too often I focus on things that are completely unimportant. Why should I focus on these things?

The best way to go anywhere is to let our Heavenly Father guide us in all things. It’s then that we will have opportunities to be able to bless others with a smile.

Hopefully our treasures are not on how quickly we can get there, but on genuine love from above as well as on our neighborhoods!

“So love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy. And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.'” (Mark 12:30-31a, MSG)

“Excuse me. Can you help me? What attraction do you recommend: Bald Mountain or Artists Bluff?”

“Both are beautiful, but what is even more beautiful is to realize the beauty of your family and the love of your Heavenly Father.”

Wow! What a neat idea!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Majestic Mountain View” devotional series, please click here.)