Consumed by Christmas
With Christmas only days away, the rush has begun! Today, I was walking through Walmart trying to get some last-minute shopping done, and on every aisle, I heard at least one kid saying that they wanted something. To be honest, my son was one them. As we walked each toy aisle, he found something new that he had to have. Even at 3-years-old, my son is not satisfied with what he already has. At home, he has a room full of toys, food on his table every day, and more than he really needs. However, society has made him think that he’ll never have enough.
Stores full of excess always leave you feeling like you need more. When I go to Walmart to go “grocery” shopping for 3 items, I never get out of the store with only those 3 items. There is always something more that I think I need and when I get home, I’ll always think I need something else. As I drive home, I pass by huge houses and beautiful cars that I would love to own. Car lots are full of shiny vehicles much nicer than what I own. It’s hard not to want when there is so much to offer in this world. As a Christian, you must train your mind, re-focus on what matters, and not let the world consume you. It’s not easy, but with prayer and dedication, it can be done.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17
To covet means to desire what does not belong to you. Never having enough money is regarded as a symptom of the love of money.
What do you desire that you don’t have today? Maybe it’s a new phone? Car? Bigger house? More money?
We are living in the age of “want.” In Exodus 20:17, the Bible tells us not to covet several things including people, oxes/donkeys, our neighbors house, and anything that belongs to our neighbor. The last part sums it all up – “do not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Your neighbor is your friend at school, your family member, or even the person at the store that you don’t even know. There will always be someone in this world that has more than you, and there will always be someone that has much less. Either way, do not get distracted by the consumer mentality that this world has to offer. This world offers a lot of “things”, but our God can give you more than you’ve ever imagined.
During Christmas, take your focus off what you don’t have and remember what you do have. If you are reading this today, you probably have a phone or a laptop, internet access, a roof over your head, and maybe you’re even eating a snack while checking out my blog. Wherever you are, or whatever you are doing, you are blessed. You may not have 100 presents under your tree, the best new phone, or everything you’ve ever dreamt of, but you can have the one that matters, Jesus Christ.
Christmas was never meant to be about presents and goodies. Christmas is meant to remind us of the birth of Jesus Christ and His life and love for His children.
This Christmas, make time to sit down and thank God for His love for you. Don’t let the rush of Christmas stress you to the point that you forget what it’s all about in the first place.