Make me a pirate.
One of my favorite parables is found in Matthew 13:44. It reads:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up.
Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
When I was about nine I always loved hearing this parable. At that age I pictured a pirate selling his ship and buying that field where “X” marks the spot and living happily ever after. Maybe that’s why I still like it so much.
Over the last several weeks I’ve found myself repeating the phrase, “See ya in a year” to close friends and some of my family. As much as I thought I might get used to the phrase it still seems foreign. Leaving seems strange. Missing my family’s birthdays, or opening presents Christmas morning is something already on the mind. How could I not be present for these things?
This is when I’m reminded of such a parable. Times when I wonder why I’d ever apply for something like this. However, I know that it’s worth it, because the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. Something worth selling everything for. Something worth knocking on your neighbor’s door and saying “Hey, I’ll see you in a long, long time. I’ve found treasure and I have to go get it.” Something worth running towards. Something worth standing in the presence of. Something worth value and substance. Something worth your time and effort. Something in which the mere thought of it makes you joyful beyond measure.
So I go. In nine days I leave.
So I say to the Lord, “make me a pirate, so that I find insane joy in the kingdom.”
And I say to you, see ya in a year.
Thanks for reading.
-Thomas Cole
P.S. -I am so close to being fully funded it’s incredible, but I sincerely ask that you fund one my squadmates. They have only a couple of days to raise about $1,500 or they will have to stay home.
Nick – http://nickshear.theworldrace.org/
Ashley – http://ashleyganahl.theworldrace.org/
Please consider funding one (or both) of them!!
