Shopping for….

Confession time: I love to shop. It’s not the actual purchasing that excites me; I get a thrill just checking out new (or new-to-me) stuff. It can be any type of item I’m browsing that brings delight : clothes, shoes, material, paper, dishes, knick-knacks, towels, furniture… my list is fairly extensive. I do have boundaries. I like shopping trailers, but not cars. I like shopping flowers, but not bushes. Office supply stores can be fun but phone stores are a snooze. Home improvement stores can be entertaining until you come to the aisles with piping or screws. I even like this shopping experience online. I admit to spending too much time scrolling through pictures of items I don’t need and I know I’m not going to buy.
This morning I read in my Bible about Jesus’ death and burial. I was struck by the fact that the women did not fully prepare the body for burial before the tomb was sealed because it was the Sabbath. The Jews have very distinct rules for behavior on the Sabbath. No working is allowed. I can appreciate this idea of a complete day of rest; a day where no activity invades time set apart to honor God Almighty. And yet, on this day, this particular Sabbath, this was the One they loved! They followed him, worshipped him and believed he was the long-awaited Messiah! Didn’t he deserve a little breaking of a rule? Their commitment, dedication and obedience to their day-to-day faith was supreme.
Then God began to speak into my daily world. Where is my commitment, dedication and obedience to my day-today faith? If anyone were to tally my time spent on various things, he or she could draw the conclusion that my belief system revolves around “stuff” or re-runs of the TV show Psych. Ouch. I’m processing how to best re-structure my habits. I don’t believe God is telling me to stop the pointless “window” shopping all together. I do sense He is calling me to a deeper level of  commitment and dedication to the One I love. Jesus IS my Messiah. He is worthy of my delight, wonder, exuberance and free time. Instead of scrolling through pictures of things: I could visit a person who needs a friend; I could make and send a card of encouragement; I could spend more time on my Sunday School lesson; I could disciple someone; I could invite a family over for dinner; I could get to know my neighbors; I could read God’s Word; I could pray. My options are only limited by God’s calling.
May my life be defined by obedience to Jesus Christ, declaring His mercy to others and being a praise of His glory.