When I was young, I wanted a metal detector. I’m uncertain as to what exactly attracted me to the idea of wandering around my backyard following a redundant “beep”, but I’m pretty sure it had to do with gold.

Whenever my dad took me to the local Radio Shack, I would peruse the main attractions, including remote-contol cars, the mystical plasma globe, and playing “Turtle” on the Tandy Computer. These were all good and fine, but if you went to the back of the store, right next to the home stereo wiring and components, there was a Radio Shack brand metal detector (headphones sold separately) hanging on the wall. I tried my best on many occasions to persuade my dad to purchase the detector (it would pay itself off in my mind), but to no avail. Instead, my dad tried to quench my thirst for treasure hunting by renting a detector from a rent shop. This wasn’t the same as having one for myself, but it was good enough for me.

My parents wisely had me go “hunting” in some empty lots instead of our own backyard, so I wouldn’t endup turning our nicely trimmed patch of Saint Augustine turf into a dig site. The hunt never turned up any real “treasure” of course: mainly a few coins, washers, and nails. Although I do remember turing up a few “rare” coins, such as the highly-sought-after “wheat penny” or the “Kennedy half-dollar”. I kept these coins for years in a special jar, but they’re gone now.

When I was five years old, I would spend almost all of my attention on scanning for coins at the mall, at school, or outside. I don’t know why exactly, but I guess it just interested me. I wasn’t a greedy little runt, either. In fact, I didn’t care if it was a half-dollar or a penny. I just liked finding stuff.

I don’t look for treasure anymore. I don’t pick up quarters off of the ground. Most of the time I don’t even correct the cashier if I’m short changed. In fact, I hate loose change. If there is anyway I can avoid having loose change, I will undoubtedly find that way.

It’s interesting to think about how captivated I used to be about certain things. Finding “treasure” in an empty lot, touching that plasma globe at Radio Shack and watching the bolt of electricity emit from my fingertip. I used to love that! These days I have lost that sense of wonder with those things. Different things captivate me now. My wife’s smile can always draw my attention. A good song can make me sit still and close my eyes. A powerful thought or a good sermon can make my mind race. A conversation with a friend can erase an entire month of misfortune, just as a silver dollar can erase two hours of wandering aimlessly through a rocky field.

Everybody treasures certain things in life. It is those things that make life worth living. They make the journey an adventure and not just an errand. I think God wants to make life adventurous, and He places both the passions in our hearts and the treasures in our lives within our reach. At first, it may be coins and washers, but eventually it may be conversations and coffee.

The important thing is that we should never lose sight of what we treasure in life. Those things that we treasure may change, but our need for them in our lives will not. Without them, life becomes boring. If we don’t let anything captivate us, life ceases to be enjoyable. There is no more adventure.

As for me, I will continue to strive to enjoy my morning cup of coffee, my time reading my Bible, reading books. I will continue to strive to take pleasure in seeing my wife walk through the door at the end of the day, in talking with both old friends and new, in blogging, and of course, listening to good music on my iPod.