Tis the Season for Consumption

Black Friday has always been a tradition in my family.  For as long as I can remember, my mom and I would get up long before the sun to stand in lines.  Perhaps back in the day it was because we treasured a promised item worth the extra hassle, but throughout the years we've come to enjoy the routine of it: the stories of those who stand behind and before us, assisting strangers throughout the stores, speaking of family traditions and loved ones near and far.  As strange as it may seem, it become a fun way to connect with my mother as well as my community each year.

Yet this year felt different.  Truly, there were very few lines as we made our rounds; several of the stores had opened the day prior, leaving their aisles like ghost towns.  It returned to what most people see it to be: a day to engage in a plethora of shopping for knick-knacks and what's its.  And with such motivation, it quickly got old.

I think it felt different as well because my heart has changed.  In the past, I often become consumed by a good deal, buying way too much for my loved ones simply because I thought they'd like it and it was a good deal.  I've now become more cautious in my approach, buying for loved ones not everything that somehow relates to them but only what I know they will really appreciate and enjoy.

As I returned home for the day, I worked on Christmas gifts as the television played in the background.  Mind you, I haven't had television in years, so it was a bit of a culture shock as every commercial declared: shop shop shop!  After all, isn't that what the holidays are all about?

And that's when my stomach started to churn.  No, I have nothing against giving loved ones gifts: gift  giving is one of my favorite ways to express love!  Yet I feel like our culture has become obsessive.  We're overwhelmed with consumerism, with having more more more!  So much that the one day of the year that we're called to give thanks has been overwhelmed by buying more and more stuff.

And the dizzying effect of it has caused me to pause.  What really matters in this life?  What are the things that will make an eternal difference?  This season, as I reflect on all that God has given me, and His Son the greatest gift of all, how can I give not only material things but also of myself?  How can I love the least of these and outcasts in our community?  How can I love God by loving my brother?  How can I give and receive in a way that glorifies God?  How can you?

Lessons from 1st John: Truth teaching

Want to be popular?  Give the people what they want!  Tell everyone what they want to hear, and they'll love you!  That seems to be the message of our culture today.  But it isn't biblical.

Too often in our society, we've become afraid to call sin sin for fear of pushing away people from God or for being seen as politically incorrect.  But if we do not acknowledge sin in our world, then people forget that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and we don't understand why we need Jesus to be our Savior.  Ignoring sin truly is a disservice, for it gives people false confidence that they're doing okay, that they're really a good person who messes up here or there.  But this isn't what the Bible teaches; the Bible teaches that we've sinned to the point that we literally killed God;  that is the reality of who we are.  And God, in His great mercy, sent His Son to save us by dying in our place on the cross that we may repent and have life again. that through His Spirit we are able to once again live holy lives.

1 John teaches that false teaching is easily accepted, while godly teaching isn't.  People don't like to be confronted about their sin, so standing up for our Christian beliefs is going to bring us under fire.  LORD, please give us the courage to stand for Your truth.

Lessons from 1st John: Love

While reading through 1st John 3 yesterday, I was convicted about what love truly means.  As 1 Corinthians 13 says, love is not self-seeking.

As I've struggled to know how to love a particular person in my life, I thought I was doing pretty well in this area.  I wasn't acting manipulatively that she may give me something or do something for me.  However, I realized I had a secret agenda; there is a behavior in her life that I don't agree with, and I was loving her in hopes that my love would cause her to change her behavior.  That's self-seeking.

God's love isn't forceful; rather, it is compelling.  God doesn't command us to turn from our sinful ways in order to receive our love, but we change in response to God's love for us.  Overwhelm by His great love for us, by the reality that while we still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), we give up our selfish desires that we may live for Him.

Papa, please teach me to love as You do.  Teach me to love selfishly.  Teach me to see those around me as You do that I may love like You.  Teach me to offer a love that is so overwhelming and accepting that it is transforming.  Teach me to love as You do.