Who is the Treasure Seeker of the Kingdom of Heaven?

The Black Chief

To become a treasure seeker, one must first learn to recognize treasure. It was a sunny spring afternoon. I was at my desk, hard at work, when I casually turned my head to glance outside. Just at that moment, the big black cat that I call "Black Chief"—a regular who parades the area two or three times a day—was on the red-brick walkway outside the window. With impressive agility, it had just caught a plump lizard!

In that instant, a section of the lizard's tail sprang several feet away, writhing and bouncing violently on the ground. Meanwhile, the lizard itself lay stiff and motionless, allowing Black Chief to sniff, prod, and flip it around without any resistance.

But Black Chief’s attention was soon completely captivated by the energetically "performing" severed tail. The cat glanced back and forth several times, from the motionless lizard to the wriggling tail. After this back-and-forth deliberation, it finally decided to let go of the "prey" in its grasp and investigate the detached tail. What followed was another round of sniffing, prodding, and flipping, leaving Black Chief thoroughly puzzled. Defeated in its "research," the cat eventually gave up and walked away, visibly disinterested. The remarkable thing was that, during the two or three minutes of Black Chief's intense examination, the severed tail maintained its vigorous "performance," while the "main body" of the lizard remained rigid and unmoving throughout.

Under my focused observation, the second act unfolded! About 30 seconds after Black Chief walked away, the lizard—previously lying belly-up—suddenly flipped itself over with surprising agility. Landing on all fours and dragging its now one-third-length tail, it swiftly fled the "staged crime scene" and disappeared into the grass. For the feral cat Black Chief, it was a complete miss—losing out on a perfectly good and nutritious meal!

Wait! There's a third act! A full seven or eight minutes later, the severed tail finally slowed down—from high-speed to medium-speed to low-speed, and eventually stopped wriggling altogether. During the "medium-speed" phase, I called my wife over to take a look. She thought it was a worm at first. By the "low-speed" phase, a curious Black Chief returned for another inspection, still puzzled and visibly conflicted. After a brief investigation, the bewildered cat *truly* walked away for good—this time with a look of utter confusion and resignation!

The End.

God allowed me to witness this intricate and thrilling "jungle survival reality show." Beyond revealing the wonder of creation once again, what other lessons or reminders might it hold for me? I found myself pondering deeply...
Who is the Treasure Seeker of the Kingdom of Heaven?

The next morning, in that very moment when I woke up, I found the answer!Am I not often like Boss Black, clearly blessed with the best gifts prepared by the Heavenly Father, yet so easily distracted by the dazzling, flashy, and bouncing allure of other people and things around me?If, in the end, I become like the deceived Black Chief—abandoning the good thing already in my grasp, simply because it doesn’t seem as attractive, and instead chasing after something flashy and eye-catching that ultimately isn’t even enough to fill a tooth gap—only to end up with nothing at all, how tragic that would be!

The Greatest Treasure Seeker

Matthew 13 records a series of seven parables told by Jesus, each beginning with "The kingdom of heaven is like..." Among them, let's focus on the Parable of the Pearl.

"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 13:45-46, Contemporary Chinese Version)

From this merchant, we can observe three characteristics of a "treasure seeker of the kingdom of heaven."

First, he is not satisfied with what he currently possesses.He has a longing in his heart, a strong sense of urgency to go beyond the boundaries of habit and step out of his comfort zone. Doesn’t the Bible teach us to be content? Why, then, is "not being satisfied with what one has" considered a commendable trait? Indeed, we should be content with material things. However, when it comes to the power of the Holy Spirit, the deep reflection and practice of truth, the capacity and energy to love, the passion for evangelizing and saving souls, and the grace to bless others through the Lord, we should never think, "This is enough!"

Second, he actively seeks what he desires.A treasure seeker of the Kingdom must go beyond the limitations of external circumstances, including boundaries formed by family responsibilities, work pressures, and the overarching trends of political and social dynamics.

Third, he spares no effort to make his dream come true.He has a deep commitment to the Lord, breaking through the limitations of subjective conditions, such as physical weakness, cultural burdens, or personal tendencies and talents. He pays every price and utilizes all resources to make his dream come true. While meditating on the *Parable of the Pearl*, I suddenly realized: isn’t the Heavenly Father the greatest treasure seeker? The most compelling evidence lies in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." God crosses every boundary—heaven and earth, ethnicity, nationality, educational level, religious background, wisdom or folly, beauty or imperfection, wealth or poverty—to make anyone who opens their heart to Him a treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven. What are the qualities of our Heavenly Father, the greatest treasure seeker?

First, He is not satisfied with what He already has. What could the Almighty Lord possibly lack? What treasure could He still be seeking? Of course, there is one—you, and me! As 2 Peter 3:9 says, "He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." Thus, even with 99 sheep already in the fold, He crosses mountains and valleys to search for the one lost sheep that has wandered away. With nine silver coins already in hand, He turns the house upside down to find the missing tenth. Though the elder son remains at home, He still stands at the gate every day, watching and waiting anxiously for the prodigal younger son to return!

Second, He actively seeks what He treasures. He devised a grand plan of redemption and took action to fulfill it.

Furthermore, He paid the ultimate price to bring His plan to fruition. He gave His one and only Son to accomplish redemption. Because He first sought us, we were able to discover the treasures in our own lives and follow the greatest treasure seeker to seek treasures alongside Him.

Here are three inspiring stories of treasure seekers for the Kingdom of Heaven: an older gentleman still full of vigor, a homebound woman, and a young girl who traveled the world. Each, for the Lord’s sake, crossed different boundaries to join the Heavenly Father’s treasure-seeking mission.

Treasure Seeker of the Kingdom: Caleb, Full of Strength in Old Age

Caleb’s most famous words are: "I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out." (Joshua 14:11)

Over 3,000 years ago, the Israelites left Egypt, journeyed through the wilderness, and entered Canaan, breaking free from over 400 years of slavery and wandering. However, even after entering the Promised Land, a few enemy tribes still occupied parts of the land. At this time, 85-year-old Caleb, his beard silver with age, boldly requested permission from Joshua, the commander, to go into battle. He said to Joshua, "Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day!" (Joshua 14:12).

"The hill country"—the region of Hebron—was not only fortified and rugged but also inhabited by the fierce and towering Anakites. Caleb, having spent half his life as a warrior and achieving great merit, could have easily chosen to settle into a peaceful retirement, leaving the battles to the younger generation. Yet, he was not content with what he already possessed; instead, he sought after what he deemed precious. Volunteering to venture into a treacherous territory, Caleb displayed extraordinary ambition and courage. He declared, "I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then!" (Joshua 14:11).

It was as if Caleb was saying to Joshua, "Do you remember? Forty-five years ago, ten spies claimed the land of Canaan was impenetrable, and they said we were like grasshoppers in the eyes of the Canaanites, ready to be crushed underfoot. But you and I remained steadfast, wholeheartedly believing that with the Lord of Hosts, victory was certain!" Caleb was not content merely to be a treasured pearl of the Lord of Hosts; he sought to expand the territory for future generations!

Have we, after years of effort in areas like knowledge, career, marriage, or ministry, gradually lost the bold and determined spirit we once had to forge ahead and explore new horizons? Have we not only become unwilling to break through but even started to retreat and avoid challenges when faced with difficulties?

The challenges of family, the workplace, the church, and the broader social and cultural environment often loom like towering mountains, each higher than the last. Whether we are willing or not, most of these mountains must be climbed. May we recognize:The true enemy is fear and panic, not the challenges themselves. Moreover, never let your current circumstances define your endpoint. Instead, find in your present situation the starting point for another journey of grace!

Treasure Seeker of the Kingdom: Christiana Tsai, the Queen of the Dark Chamber

Christiana Tsai, the "Queen of the Dark Chamber," said many thought-provoking things, but one that left the deepest impression on me was *"perhaps today."* At a deeper level, it means that today might very well be the day she departs from this world. How could we not cherish the time we have and seek the pearls of the Kingdom for the Lord? Why did she have such a perspective?

Christiana Tsai was born in 1890, during the late Qing Dynasty, into a wealthy family devoted to Buddhism. She was one of the very few highly educated Chinese Christian women of her time. She led her entire family of 55 members to faith in Christ and partnered with missionary Mary Leaman to form an evangelistic team, spreading the Gospel and discipling believers.

At the height of her thriving ministry, Christiana Tsai contracted malaria in 1931, which infected her bone marrow. This left her unable to maintain balance, walk, or tolerate light. She later endured the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War, eventually fleeing to the United States in 1949. She settled in Paradise, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she lived until she went to be with the Lord in 1984. Altogether, she spent 53 years of her life in the "dark chamber."

Logically speaking, by the age of 41, she had already reached the pinnacle of her Gospel ministry, accomplishing everything she could and should have done. Afterward, burdened by illness and disability, she fled to a remote countryside in the United States, with every reason to rest and quietly wait to return to her heavenly home. However, she was a treasure seeker for the Kingdom of Heaven, and she possessed the qualities of a Kingdom treasure seeker.

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First, she was not satisfied with what she already had. Being a pearl of the Heavenly Father herself was not enough; as long as she had breath, she was determined to find more pearls for Him.

Second, she actively sought what she longed for.

Third, she spared no effort to make her dream come true.

In her fourth year in the United States, she dictated her autobiography, *The Queen of the Dark Chamber*, which her assistant transcribed and published in English. Over the next 23 years, the English edition was reprinted 36 times, translated into over 40 languages, including Chinese, and adapted into three braille editions for the blind, as well as films and stage plays.

As a result, the secluded farmhouse in the remote town of Paradise where Tsai Su Juan lived became one of the most popular attractions on the East Coast for quite some time. As long as she wasn’t confined to a hospital bed, she began each day by dressing neatly and spending time in focused prayer, seeking messages from the Lord. In her "dark chamber," she would wait for scheduled visitors or welcome unexpected guests, sharing messages inspired by God and tailored to each individual's needs. Some described her as a full-time minister, 100% dedicated and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Her "dark chamber" and her autobiography became the pulpit from which she transformed countless lives.

I am deeply grateful that in the spring of 1983, just a year before her passing, I had the opportunity to visit her. She encouraged me, blessed me, and gave me a pin with the words *"Perhaps Today"* inscribed on it.

Mary Leaman, who knew Christiana Tsai intimately and accompanied her throughout the years, not only cared for her at the farmhouse but also later dedicated the property to become the headquarters of the Ambassadors for Christ, a ministry focused on sharing the Gospel with Chinese intellectuals. Wasn’t she, too, a treasure seeker of the Kingdom of Heaven?

For readers who wish to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of Christiana Tsai, a treasure seeker who overcame the limitations of physical frailty to become the Lord’s beacon in her "dark chamber," illuminating countless lives, please consider reading the 2014 expanded edition of *The Queen of the Dark Chamber* or watching the biographical film *Walking Toward the Light*.

Treasure Seeker of the Kingdom: Anting Liu and the “Ultimate Cookie”

Anting Liu, born 100 years after Christian Tsai, enjoyed abundant resources and privileges. At a remarkably young age, she founded and spearheaded *Teach For Taiwan*, creating a significant impact on both the church and society in Taiwan.

She broke through the boundaries of age and the stereotype of self-centeredness often associated with the younger generation, committing herself to becoming a treasure seeker for the Kingdom of Heaven. In 2016, she was recognized by *Forbes* magazine as one of Asia's 30 Under 30 most influential leaders.

How did she refuse to be satisfied with merely being a pearl herself and instead desire to continually seek Kingdom pearls for the Heavenly Father? How did she discern the Lord’s heart and plan for Taiwan’s rural areas in the 21st century? And how did she spare no effort to make her dream a reality?

The following video, "Embracing a Generation Begins with Education," is Anting Liu's TEDxTaipei talk, sharing the heart and vision of this treasure seeker for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Dear reader, what special gifts, opportunities, and resources has God given you in this lifetime? Are you willing to share them with the audience God has appointed at His ordained time? As Mordecai said to Esther, "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

Caleb, Christiana Tsai, Anting Liu, and countless other treasure seekers of the Kingdom serve as our examples. They refused to be content with enjoying their existing accomplishments and willingly stepped into the frontlines of battle for the Lord. They were not satisfied with what they already had but actively sought what they longed for. They spared no effort to make their dreams a reality.

Pour out your heart to the Lord

I invite each of you to place your hand over your heart and come before the greatest treasure seeker—our Heavenly Father—with a commitment:

Lord, yes, we commit ourselves to be treasure seekers for Your Kingdom. By Your strength, we will break through boundaries and step into another world. Compared to the one before us, this is a greater world where we will witness God's supernatural actions; it is a deeper world where things happen in places far beyond reason; and it is a more vibrant world, for no one who encounters God can remain anything but passionate and overflowing with zeal.

Lord, yes, all of this will impact our lives, our daily living, and our service, transforming our character and mindset. It will enable us to embody the truth that "the worker is more important than the work, the author surpasses the creation, and sincerity is above all else."

In Your gracious protection, we can be like Caleb, the vigorous warrior, crossing the boundaries of age and generations, continually expanding the Lord’s territory. As our days are, so shall our strength be.

We can also be like Christiana Tsai, the Queen of the Dark Chamber, daily reminding ourselves with "perhaps today," breaking through the boundaries of frailty, illness, and immobility to spread the Gospel and disciple others.

We can also learn from the young Anting Liu, breaking through the boundaries of being underestimated due to youth and the self-centered frameworks of modern society. By placing the privileges and resources she once tightly held entirely into the Lord’s hands, she inspires both herself and others to continually seek pearls for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Yes, Lord, open the eyes of our hearts so that we may clearly discern what You are doing here and now in our families, marriages, careers, and ministries. Grant us the courage and the willingness to follow and participate unconditionally in Your work, fulfilling Your will and purpose. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen!