One quarter size hole in the ground and a gust of cool air led three (some accounts say five) explorers to dig into a trespassed field in Virginia to discover what we know today as “one of the century’s greatest finds” or Luray Caverns.
For four hours they dug a hole into the earth big enough for their smallest party members to just fit through. With only a candle in hand, they dropped the smallest men through the hole to discover a deep cave- 1.5 miles wide- just under their feet.
Right before their eyes, they saw 50 foot stalagmites, clear, mineral rich waters, gorgeous cliffs, that have now enraptured millions of people around the world for over 150 years.
The cave discoverers kept the find quiet until they could buy the land from the foreclosed property of the original owner. Then when the value of the property came to light, people fought-tooth-and-nail over the property to finally take it to the VA Supreme Court to annull the purchase and sell it to richer investors.
The original owner of the property was sitting on a gold-mine, but he never took the time to discover what was burried right beneath his very nose. He let debt and foreclosure make him lose his inheritance. Greed took over and others benefited from his loss.
Don’t let others take your joy, your destiny, or your life with their pursuit to use and abuse the great treasure that you are. You are the caretaker of the most unique treasure this world has ever seen. Your life is a unending cavern of ideas, hopes, dreams and passions.
The world needs your book, your music, your art, your words and your love.
Don’t lose the rights to your heart because of compromise, pressures or broken promises from this world.
Proverbs 4 talks about
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
Proverbs 4:20-27 NIV
Guard your heart in the ancient world was not like we consider now. They considered the heart as the central command center of your entire being-The union station of your thoughts, your feelings and your emotions.
Therefore to “guard one’s heart” was to guard what influences came into your life and thoughts- therefore affecting your entire life and your destination.
Don’t let compromise steal the treasure of your heart. Cut off the Internet, go back to a flip phone to keep your eyes from stumbling, shut off cable, don’t go out after 10 PM if need be. Do what’s necessary to ruthlessly guard the treasure that is inside of you.
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