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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
- Matthew 13:44-46

The kingdom of heaven is like a young girl who has always wanted a puppy. When her parents finally gave her permission, she smashed her piggy bank, spent all that she had, and picked out her new dog, whom she promptly named Chewbacca.

Chewbacca was worth the wait and the cost.

The kingdom of heaven is like a man who fell deeply in love with a woman who lived in another state. In his joy, he quit his lucrative job, sold his home, and moved so that he could marry her. To this day he’s never regretted his decision.

That relationship was worth all the change.

The kingdom of heaven is like a revolutionary new technology that will change an industry. When a company hears about it they scrap most of their old business plans and reorient their strategy around this new technology. Their gamble pays off and millions of people today use this technology to make the world a better place.

The technology was worth making a strategic readjustment.

The kingdom of heaven is like courtside seats to a home game for the most remarkable basketball team in North Carolina (you know which team we’re talking about, right?). A lifelong, diehard fan of the team heard that the tickets were being given away and jumped at the opportunity to go. Even though he had to reschedule a doctor’s appointment, take two vacation days, and park in the farthest lot from the stadium, he had the time of his life.

The experience was worth the inconvenience.

Do you see the pattern here? As a spiritual exercise, take a few minutes to write your own version of the parable.

ps. We’d love to see what you come up with. Share them on Facebook or in the comments section.