Have you ever been to a garage sale hoping to find that perfect bargain? Or scoured the swap meet for an amazing deal? A Midwestern scrap dealer succeeded beyond his wildest dreams when he purchased a golden egg that turned out to be a missing relic from Russia’s royal family. Imagine his surprise when this modest investment yielded a Faberge egg valued at 33 million dollars. In its day, it was considered a masterpiece of craftsmanship, yet by the time it reached the U.S. more than a century later, it had lost some of its regal luster. The scrap dealer thought it was pretty, but never imagined that it once dazzled the empress herself.

When we first receive the Good News of the Gospel, we have some idea of its value. We enter into its promise with the excitement of receiving a gift from our Heavenly Father. But like all precious things, we tend to lose sight of its true worth. And, as time goes on, it may become tarnished in our hearts. But this should never be! Salvation is a living thing, a process in which Christ, by the Spirit, is working to perfect in us. Paul proclaims in his letter to the Philippians: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

God’s gift of salvation is greater than any heirloom that man could ever hope to create. But sometimes we need to be reminded that we, too, are God’s craftsmanship, a work he is completing so that one day our glory—a reflection of his own—will shine forth.

These days, when people encounter the Good News, there is a chance that its true meaning will be lost, like the famous Russian egg. But, as children of God we have become keenly aware of its value, and we have been given the happy and privileged commission to help others become aware of it, too. So let’s rest in the promise of the gift of salvation as we continue to be perfected by our loving Father. The world knows no greater treasure than that!

I’m Joseph Tkach, Speaking of LIFE.