Beginning in 1848, tens of thousands of people gave up everything in hopes of finding a treasure.

The “California Gold Rush” saw prospectors from around the country leaving their homes due to the promise of gold on the west coast.  Some discovered gold and became wealthy, though many did not; the reasons why could be helpful to our faith.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
Matthew 13:44

In order to find, you must seek.

While there are some who stumbled on gold by accident, the vast majority found gold because they actively sought it, especially as most gold was only discovered through strenuous digging and mining.  You did not just stumble on gold; you had to actively pursue it.  The parallel parable about the pearl merchant (v.45) makes it clear that the man who found the treasure did not stumble on it, but was actively pursuing it.  He knew the treasure was there, so he dug, and dug, and dug (like the book/movie Holes) until his shovel hit the prize.

“…seek and you will find…the one who seeks finds…”
Matthew 7:7-8

Jesus said this to a large mixed crowd, where some were willing to lose everything to follow him, and others were simply curious; he wanted to make it clear that there was something to be found, but only by those who pursued it.  Too often we desire the “gold” Jesus promises, but are unwilling to disrupt our lives to pursue it; “bare minimum” does not go far with the man who said this:

]“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25

In order to seek, you must believe.

Most gold prospectors had likely never seen gold ore when they set out, nor were they geologist, so their pursuit was a profound act of faith.  They gave up everything believing that there actually was gold, and that they could actually find it; if both were true, it would be worth the sacrifice.  Many prospectors didn’t know where to start, so they simply started digging; as they found gold or didn’t, they would learn more about how to seek, because their belief kept them going.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

It is possible for us to “seek” God without believing He is worth finding.  “Cultural Christianity” is an example, where we wear the label and go through the motions, but our lives are not marked by an authentic submission to God.  As a result, we can be like “prospectors” who hear of gold out west but dig a hole in our backyard in the east; we can read the Word and pray without actually moving toward God.  There’s good reason for this: so much of our faith is unseen!  It can feel — even be — foolish to disrupt our lives for something that is not in front of us.  Fortunately, our faith can give the confidence and assurance to step toward that hope.

In order to believe, you must know what you seek.

Since most prospectors had only seen gold in its refined, sculpted form, they actually had no idea what they were looking for.  In fact, for most their eyes were looking for anything yellowish-orange and shiny.  This led to deep disappointment for many when they dumped a bucket of shiny, yellowish-orange rocks on the assessor’s table only to learn they had a pile of useless “fool’s gold.”  What is interesting about pyrite is the similarities to gold stop there; gold is soft and malleable, and “fool’s gold” is hard and brittle.  To experts, only a fool could hold pyrite and believe it was gold.

Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Proverbs 28:26

God knows His creation longs for Him (Romans 8:19-23), and He also knows in their misunderstanding of that longing they will seek answers elsewhere.  As a result, He gave His Word to guide us, and His son to set an example.  Unfortunately, we too often settle for a limited understanding of what our soul seeks, and pursue whatever is shiny; our trust in self rather than the wisdom of God can make us fools holding useless rocks.

In order to know, you must listen to the right voice.

The prospectors hurt the most were those listening to the wrong voice.  Sometimes, prospectors would see their depleted mine as an opportunity to con naive newcomers; in a practice called “salting”, they would strategically scatter gold in the soil and under debris so they could sell the mine as though it is still good.  They would run off with the money while the unsuspecting prospectors mined in vain.

Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.”
Jeremiah 14:14 

In our pursuit of God, there will be people who will deceive us.  Some will do it intentionally for their own gain, others because they themselves were deceived, and the end result is the same; if we listen to the wrong voice, we can come to ruin, convinced treasure is just ahead.  Jesus knew this, and said “…his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (John 10:4a-5)  Does the voice you are listening to sound like Jesus?  It may be promising protection and provision, but if it lacks the character of Christ, it could be leading you to an empty mine.

The right voice is calling you to find Him.

Regardless of the fool’s gold and the deceivers, there was still an authentic voice that called out truth to all who wanted to hear it: “There is gold in California!”  This true voice changed the lives of tens of thousands, for better or worse.  Those who really listened to the voice (and others like it) through perseverance found gold; those who listened to their own or the wrong voice found pyrite and empty mines; and those that chose not to listen or gave up the journey found nothing.  To each the voice called out that a different future could be theirs, if they would only listen, give up their old life, and pursue the new.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…”
2 Peter 1:3

This is but one of many verses that make it clear that the voice of God is calling us; He is calling us to seek Him and is promising a different future that is “immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20)  As Jesus puts it as he called, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  (John 10:10b)  God is calling you; you must decide to listen, leave the old, and pursue the new (Ephesians 4:22-24); if you do, the promise of this treasure can be yours:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

…Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:3-4, 10-11