My kids were hooked this summer on a show that followed the life of a sun bronzed surfer boy named John B. With windswept hair that couldn’t be tamed by his backward ball cap, John B. had a magnetic way about him. 

You can find his story on the Netflix show called “Outer Banks” and it is a simple coming of age story where a group of teenage friends find clues to 400 million dollars in hidden gold. Simple plot line, right? Yeah, but there was something different about this treasure hunt, and especially there was something different about John B.

Maybe some of his charm is that he is an underdog: he was orphaned by his father who was murdered by his partner as they were looking for the gold. He was dirt poor, and he also was constantly on the run from both police and rogue scavenger parties who were also driven by yellow greed.

But for me, John B. caught my attention for two reasons: (1) He was absolutely certain that he would find the treasure, (2) and he was fearless in his pursuit. No danger or possible life threatening situation could stop him because he knew in his heart, “I have nothing to lose.” These two convictions made him more than willing to face any trouble and suffer any indignity because he figured that finding the treasure was well worth the cost. 

And for him the cost was nothing because he started at rock bottom. His dad was dead, he was poor, and he was ignored and disrespected by everyone else in the show. The one bonus he had was the love of his four friends who helped him on his adventure. 

I found in John B’s attitude something that could help me in my life. Let me explain…

You don’t find too many people these days that believe in something so much that they will give up everything for it. Most of us are content with having those things in life that are not really worth having after you finally get that thing. As C. S. Lewis once said, “We are far too easily pleased.” This simple contentment with meaningless things leads to a life of boredom because we don’t ever really risk that much. We take the easy path because we don’t want to risk what we already have. Keep me comfortable with my microwave popcorn and cheap cell-phone plan and I am fine. But this sort of treasure is shallow, a life of trifles that deaden the soul.

I know “Outer Banks” is just a silly show, but it humbled me. As a Christian, I am certain that a real treasure awaits me. I know it and believe it more than anything I have ever believed in in my life. And the treasure is much greater than 400 million dollars in buried gold. It is ownership with Jesus over all that the Father owns.

But I am not fearless nor relentless as I should be. I let difficulty and the opinions of others lesson my resolve. I cling too tight to things that moth and rust will corrode.

“What do I have to lose?” What does this world have to offer that compares with Christ? What does it benefit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Is looting and rioting and stealing and having policies that make me equal with other people what I should be about? 

Or maybe knowing Jesus is a treasure beyond my wildest dreams? Those words mean little to people in our age where greed has sunk its claws deep. 

Jesus tells this parable, “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.”

Sell everything? But I have far too much to lose. 

Or do I? What do you have to lose? Is Jesus really God? And if he is, did he mean what he said in scripture? And if he did, we haven’t any idea what awaits us in the life to come.

Just like John B. my own father died looking for the treasure. He has been gone now for 14 years this September. Compared to my friends I don’t own much. But I do have a family that loves me and have joined me on my own adventure. 

It is time not to care. I have nothing to lose.