Hidden Treasure

01 October, 2014

“Seven jeans, True Religion, I say no but they keep givin’.” Fergie, among others, loves to sing about designer labels and lavish lifestyles. In fact, in addition to partying and promiscuity, there’s little else found on Billboard’s Top 100. Artists boast driving Bugati’s, exclusive trips to Bora Bora, eating caviar by the spoonful and chugging champagne by the bottle. They drape themselves in Rolex watches, Gucci bags, Dolce belts.... the list goes on. They sing about pride, Keri Hilson being “sweeter than a swisher”; they rap about drug dependence, B.O.B. “waking up high as ****”; they brag about weapons, Akon rapping he’s a “sniper on a roof.”

Before coming to Christ, I’d blast these lies loud as anybody. Nothing better than cruising down Cali’s 101 on a warm Saturday night, sunroof down, jamming KISS FM’s music countdown heading to a club. I knew every word, every dance, and every artist. I’d seen all the music video’s, knowing exactly what each dirty line meant and loving it.

Jesus graciously handed me “God-goggles,” giving me insight into the harmful ways of my past. Hypothetically, I was running around with open scissors and not stopping to blink. I was a naive little fish, following the school and swimming along the wicked stream, friends at my side. I saw nothing wrong with my music, my actions, and my lifestyle. I was a “good kid,” not doing any “hard” drugs or dropping out of college, figuring I was fine. Who cares if I went to parties on weekends? Who cares if I went on lots of dates with boys? Who cares if my iPod was influenced by MTV? I was living the way I knew best, not wasting my youth sitting at home. I had the rest of my life to be boring, why start early?

Often, people assume Christians are lame. There’s nothing alluring or lavish about the Christian lifestyle, so young people aren’t initially attracted to the church. “Give up my partying, shopping addiction, and selfish ways? No thank you,” I’d think. Although Pepperdine University was a Christian school, I chose it for the pristine Pacific Ocean views and easy downtown LA access.

On Sunday, September 16, 2012, after a night of partying, Christ dropped the scales from my eyes. My views were dramatically changed in an instant, leaving my world turned upside-down. By His grace, I no longer desired an invite to a fancy club or having a cute boyfriend or the latest rap song on my iPod or eating at Hollywood’s new restaurant or window shopping on Rodeo. I had one purpose and one delight that none of the other’s could touch: knowing Christ. I traded my Saturday night party for a night of warm blankets, Frank Sinatra, hot tea, and a Bible.

As a two-year-old Christian, the flashing lights of the world can sometimes seem appealing, and I’m still occasionally invited for a night out. Although there’s a small temptation, deep down I know that world has no place for me. It is hallow; it is broken; and it is deceiving. The glamour and glitz is not what it seems, and I know a night with my Bible can give me more joy than sitting front row at the Oscars. I’ve found the Hidden Treasure, the reason to live, the brightest pearl, the juiciest fruit, and I don’t plan to trade it for anything.