Today is a tough one for me.
Obviously, with the consumeristic hype of Christmas upon us, many Christian circles are bemoaning the push for spending your God-given money amidst the flurry of retail super-bargains. Many will highlight the irony of Thanksgiving on one day, and materialism the next.
And yet, I have a difficult time blowing my referee whistle and calling "foul"! Sure, Christmas has never been more over-materialized in our culture... but it's still a holiday where people are buying gifts - not for self, but for others. Why would we be critical of this? We live in America, land of the bountiful, the rich and famous, the leaders of technology and warfare. We do not wish to become indoctrinated with a spirit of materialism in a country so blessed, but our society still believes in a holiday, in a specific Friday, where it is good to think of others by way of purchasing and giving gifts. So our prayer should perhaps be one of wisdom...
Obviously, with the consumeristic hype of Christmas upon us, many Christian circles are bemoaning the push for spending your God-given money amidst the flurry of retail super-bargains. Many will highlight the irony of Thanksgiving on one day, and materialism the next.
And yet, I have a difficult time blowing my referee whistle and calling "foul"! Sure, Christmas has never been more over-materialized in our culture... but it's still a holiday where people are buying gifts - not for self, but for others. Why would we be critical of this? We live in America, land of the bountiful, the rich and famous, the leaders of technology and warfare. We do not wish to become indoctrinated with a spirit of materialism in a country so blessed, but our society still believes in a holiday, in a specific Friday, where it is good to think of others by way of purchasing and giving gifts. So our prayer should perhaps be one of wisdom...
PRAYER 5: Prayer of Discernment.
Today's prayer could start with something like this:
“Lord, I ask for the wisdom needed to guide me this day. May I discern between the materialism in my heart, and the love I have for others. May my pursuit for the things in this world be constrained by my love of You, my dedication to your glory, and my love for others..."
Black Friday gives us an opportunity to ponder. An opportunity to filter our motives and realize the great goodness that America can show through the act of people gifting those they love. Especially if those gifts are 75% off at Best Buy! ;)
“Lord, I ask for the wisdom needed to guide me this day. May I discern between the materialism in my heart, and the love I have for others. May my pursuit for the things in this world be constrained by my love of You, my dedication to your glory, and my love for others..."
Black Friday gives us an opportunity to ponder. An opportunity to filter our motives and realize the great goodness that America can show through the act of people gifting those they love. Especially if those gifts are 75% off at Best Buy! ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment