Take just a moment to watch this video.  * My phone was acting wonky and I couldn’t get it to post the video, but it can be found on my facebook page if it uploads correctly.  You can find me : Brittany Hawks Jones* It’s two clips I took from Jake and the Neverland Pirates on the Disney channel.  I was half asleep on the couch watching this with the kids and was amazed by the wisdom from Mr. Smee (I think that’s how you spell it).  

Captain Hook is a greedy pirate captain, in case your childhood memories weren’t as fond as mine when it comes to Disney movies.  In Jake and the Neverland Pirates, he likes to follow around Jake and his friends and try to steal their treasure.  In this particular episode, Cubby, one of the pirate kids, lost his skull and bones marble and they were going to TreasureFalls to look at the treasure waterfall to cheer him up.  There was only one rule – do NOT take anything or you and your friends will be trapped there.  Forever.  Well of course Captain Hook overheard the word “treasure” and followed them there.   

Jake and his friends are tempted by all the gold flowing down the falls, but they don’t give in to temptation.  On the other hand, Captain Hook and his friends start stuffing their bags full, regardless of the warning from the pirate kids to stop or they’ll all be trapped.  Immediately, these huge branches come out of the ground and form a cage around everyone and all the treasure stops flowing.  No one can escape.  After Captain Hook tries everything, Jake suggests they put everything back and maybe the falls will release them.  The Captain’s friends jump right on it, but he won’t budge.  He’s so stubborn and thinks he can keep his treasure, but everyone is still trapped on the island.  Get ready for some wisdom – Mr. Smee speaks up, “Captain, what’s more important?  Your treasure or your freedom?”  

I was half asleep on the couch trying to catch a few zzz’s after a sleepless night, but this caught my attention.  What’s more important?  Your treasure or your freedom? 

There are many things that appear to be treasure that holds us in bondage.  The pretty, sparkly things become hand cuffs and cages around us.  Bad relationships hold us captive and one sided friendships suck the life out of us.  We chase after things that we think will make us feel better, only to be left empty, bruised and lying on the side of the road. 

Matthew 6:21 tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  What moves you?  What gets you going?  Where is your focus?  Because I guarantee you, once you pin point that, you’ll find the “X” that marks the spot.  There are so many things that glitter and glisten and grab our attention, but so many times they aren’t things that God has for us.  Many times it comes as a trap straight from the pits of hell, wrapped up in flaming wrapping paper and a half melted bow.  Yet we accept it with open arms. 

It makes me think of an event in Joshua chapter 7.   After the walls of Jericho crumble to the ground, Joshua’s men were given the thumbs on to grab the silver and gold, except not to touch the accursed things.  This greedy guy, Achan, lets his eyes wander and picks up a few extra items and smuggles them back to camp.  Because of his hidden treasure, they end up losing the next war and their leader is left heart broken and confused.  God spoke to Joshua, “Sanctify the people…There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.”  Joshua 7:13  

Once it was revealed why they lost in their next battle, Joshua takes care of business.  And Achan.  Cold stone creamery manifested itself right there.  And I’m not talking about the overpriced ice cream either. 

I wonder if you’ve heard the warnings.  Sometimes it’s hard when we’re so focused on this American dream that’s killing us softly.  It’s like the tornado sirens have been going off, warning you to drop your load and move on, but they’ve been ignored. The snooze button keeps getting pounded over and over.  You cannot let the world suck you in.  The more you try out your wings in the culture around us, the more damaged and hopeless you’ll find yourself.  You’ll end up places you never thought you’d be with people you wouldn’t normally associate with doing ungodly things you never thought of doing. 

Do you have a few accursed things camping out under your bed with the dust bunnies and balled up socks?  They may be far from silver and gold, but the reality is – They.  Will.  Haunt.  You.  They will hold you under the water until you’re gasping for air.  You’ve got to let go of them.  If not, you’ll be trapped in this false safety you’ve constructed around yourself.  But let’s come face to face with the truth here – these are nothing but walls of stone and jagged rock that are keeping everyone out and keeping you miserable and isolated. 

So the question remains – what’s more important?  Your treasure?  Or your freedom?  Because my Bible says, “Who the SON sets free, is FREE indeed.”  John 8:36   

Live Life Unscripted,
❤ Brittany