The Doorway
I found the treasure in an abandoned building as I drove down the cobblestone streets of Ruiz, Nayarit in México. The builder had made this formerly impressive two story home of adobe brick, but now little remained except for the facade and steps leading up to a doorway. The doorway intrigued me. It led into what was once the rest of the home, but had become a jungle of weeds and trees. Finally, I could no longer resist stopping and taking some pictures.
Okay, So What’s the Treasure?
I’m getting there! When I returned to the States I began the drawing. It was a painstaking process. I usually examine every element of the scene to understand it better. In this case, I researched different types of cactus, examined the intricacies of brickwork and studied palm trees. The cactus reminded me of life’s prickly trials and the clay facade of ourselves. The palm trees reminded me of the Trinity and the fruit of the Spirit. The doorway became the hidden portal to a magnificent garden. This garden had a fountain as its centerpiece and three giant palms in the background. “The invisible treasure” grew clearer with every stroke!
The KEY to the Door
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,”[a] we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Seeing the Invisible
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
