Where your treasure is

Schloss Merode

        
 As I write I am sitting in the window of a 13th century castle near Düren, Germany. Paul and Rebecca are close friends with a truly charming couple, Prince Charles-Louise and Princess Clotilde De Merode who invited Paul and Rebecca and their clan (Annie, Naomi, and I) to visit them in their castle for several days. The De Merodes are one of the most important nobility of Belgium dating back to the Middle Ages. At one point in time the house of Merode's territory extended throughout parts of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It is a bit overwhelming for me to even try to grasp the amount of history behind this building or the extent of influence this family has had throughout European history.

       It might also seem overwhelming to be interacting with a couple of such influence, but the warmth and humility the Prince and Princess have create an atmosphere that allows us to have very engaging and delightful times together. So while sitting within the walls of this castle surrounded by astounding pieces of artwork and history live a couple who overflow with the joy they have found in their personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Although our lives and backgrounds are entirely different we can share and engage around the common bond of love for God. I have found such depth in the table conversations this week and hope to treasure these moments I have been able to witness here.

    During a dinner their daughter said she would never marry a man with a castle because it is so much work. And she is correct; the work involved in keeping a castle puts any other home improvement project to shame. Prince Charles-Louise's grandfather spent most of his life restoring the castle after its near destruction in WWII. The castle and surrounding property was the site of a battle between the Nazi's and Allies. Apparently the castle switched occupation between the Nazi's and Allies four times and suffered great damage.(I will share more about a visit to the smallest private WWII cemeteries which lies on their property later ). Damage from the bullets still remains around the front door and on some of the towers, a reminder of the violent history that occurred here. 

      In 2000 after almost completely restoring this massive castle the castle roof caught on fire. Although fire trucks were able to restrict the burn damage to the upper levels, the water damage permeated throughout most of the castle. The Prince and Princess have spent the last twelve years working to restore the castle. The exterior is almost complete but most of the interior is still under renovation. They described for us what it was like to watch all their beautiful restoration work and family heritage go up in flames and showed us damaged pieces of valuable artwork and furniture. Then the Prince said, "But we don't take this into paradise with us", what a wonderful perspective! As they continued to share they told of how they found a deeper joy after the fire although they had lost so much, a joy not based on wealth or circumstances, but found in God. They also shared about how the villagers came to help and the strengthening of the community that came about through the tragedy. Their perspective demonstrates where their hearts are, as Jesus says in Matthew 6 "where your treasure is, there your heart will also be". And it was so inspiring to witness how this Prince and Princess have found their true treasure in their relationship with Christ.

           Although their true treasure is in Christ they are good stewards of the heritage they have received. When many may have decided to give up on this mammoth restoration project, they did not, and they have invested so much of their time, energy, and funds into restoring this castle. The devotion they have towards restoring this castle that had almost been destroyed by fire reminds me of the devotion God has towards restoring our hearts, even after they have at times almost been destroyed by jealousy, lust, and hatred. And just as they have gone room by room slowly repairing each part of the castle so too does God go room by room in our hearts slowly repairing a damaged section here and another one there, until we can stand as strong and beautiful handiworks of our Creator. I was reminded of God's declaration in Jeremiah where he says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt" (Jeremiah 31:3,4). Isn't it wonderful to know that just as Prince Charles-Louise and his family did not despair and chose to rebuild this castle so too does God not despair when he sees our damaged hearts? And He chooses to restore and rebuild our hearts and give us the ability to find our true treasure in our relationship with Him.