Matthew 6:19-20
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Let me be honest: my heart was SO divided today. Like Matthew 6 reminds us: where your treasure, there your heart will be also. Black Friday is always one of those days that really tests the state of my heart. There is just something about the idea of hordes of people shopping for incredible bargains that really gets me going!
I don't think there is anything innately wrong about Black Friday, shopping, or finding great deals. But this morning I noticed a really strange struggle inside of my heart as I was looking at the ads and watching the commercials. On one hand, I am trying my best to simplify my life and focus my priorities on things that really matter. I really want my life to reflect what's really important to me. I want the treasures of doing God's work, giving to those in need, and being united with Christ to be the things that drive my adrenaline and give me joy.
But on the other hand...that iphone would totally beat using this old cell....And that is a really cute sweater.
You know what I mean? It's a constant battle to consider what I really want, and what I actually need. And man, there are soooooo many things that I really want. It's a battle to continually remember to keep my eyes on heavenly things rather than on this world, to invest in the the kingdom of God and people who are hungry, poor, and alone...rather than my wardrobe. It's a battle that I fail time and time again, but one that I'm not willing to give up on. Because the few times I do win...it feels overwhelmingly right. It's what I was created to do. It's the treasure I was made to possess.
It feels so good to invest in the right things. I want to be a person who does more of that. I want to be a person who's checkbook clearly reflects the state of my heart and the truth to where my treasure lay.
Take that, Black Friday.
I can readily identify with the struggle you presented. I did find myself out Black Friday shopping but I tried to be mindful of not just accumulating a bunch of stuff I really didn't need.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Wanda, I know, accumulation of "stuff" is a struggle for all of us. It's hard to really stay focused on what matters while still being immersed in this world. Thanks for reading!
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