Last month the retail industry experienced record sales over Black Friday and the holiday sales, all is bright in retail. Ironically, a lot of shoppers made purchases for themselves. We live in a very consumer-minded world, especially during Christmas time.
Be smart and shop for awesome deals and you can have everything you want. For decades, conservatives have voiced that Jesus is the real reason for the season and He is. However, there are many within the church will run to God only when they need or want something in their hearts.
This mindset is just as materialistic and wrong as the world’s give me what I want me-ology. Believers have fail to be content with what God has already blessed them with; we should be thanking you, God. Our flesh constantly wants more.
This was the case even before the fall when Satan promised the first Adam more (Genesis 3:1- 24). Even God’s people can keep wanting more because our hearts of made of flesh.
King Solomon wisely asked God for wisdom to use the things in power he already had for God’s purposes (1 Kings 3:10). God also blessed him with earthly treasures that eventually led him astray from his calling. Both came from God.
Later Solomon diverged from the foolishness of temporary things and chasing after money and power (Ecclesiastes 1:14-2:12). King Solomon eventually realized the good things in this life don’t last and chasing after them is meaningless. Our joy comes from God, not what He blessed us with.
It’s Christmas day and we need to learn from the Wisdom of Solomon, the goods of this world don’t compare to the goodness of God that is coming, we were made for more than what this life offers us. Even God’s people can forget this truth, the Apostle Paul said in the last days God’s people will love themselves and their money (2 Timothy 3: 2-6).
The baby Jesus wasn’t the Messiah God’s people wanted on that silent night. When we believe because we are God’s people we deserve the best things in this life, we become prideful or blinded by power; we have become desensitized to the ways of Satan. When we lust after the things of this world, we are no better than those who are in the world
Let me be clear God isn’t against us having things, but things and money shouldn’t have us, that is why God placed a flaming sword around the Tree of Life to protect mankind from being consumed by earthly power and greatness (Genesis 3: 24).
Even Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan to settle for temporary needs and earthly greatness. Jesus responded with Scripture because He knew God’s ways and wills are better than anything this world has. The other Son of David Jesus wisely chose God’s best over the good things of this life. God is a Good, Good Father and wants what is best for us; He isn’t a genie in a bottle.
The difference between Solomon and Jesus is Jesus didn’t get distracted by His flesh. Jesus denied Himself daily because He knew God’s way is best. Jesus taught His followers to deny themselves also.
He didn’t say don’t do or accept bad things, He didn’t distinguish between good and bad because He was focused on God’s best. It does us no good to gain the whole world, yet forfeit our souls and miss out on the best God has planned for us.
Make no mistake God is working, but it is in His time, not ours. Just like with fruits that aren’t ready until the right time, it is best to let God do things His way and in His time. This month I will celebrate another birthday, and I admit I am not where I want to be in life and there are a lot of things I feeling like I am missing. But, I am old enough to know that God’s best takes time, hold on.
I have lots of hopes and dreams for this upcoming year, but I want God’s will more than anything. Even as I watch friends get married and have children or succeed in life, I know those things take time too. The person I was a decade ago is not who I am now.
Sometimes I wonder if I ever get out of the Lonely Hearts Club, I have wrestled with God about my life. I wonder why He leaves me here. But, I am not God, even if I think I understand His ways, I will never understand His timing. Still, I understand whatever He decides to bless me with, good or bad — it is a good gift!
