Black Friday: Where Are Our Priorities?
For many people, today (often identified as “Black Friday” because it’s the day that many stores come into “the black,” financially speaking) is a day to find and embrace great deals….in preparation for Christmas, or just because. Today, there are lots of sales and discounts and early hours in businesses around the country. “Get it while the gettin’ is good” could be the motto for Black Friday.
But if our whole motivation is the accumulation of more and more “stuff,” whether for ourselves or for others, what are we missing out on? And where are our priorities in the midst of all this shopping?
In focusing so much on the possession of material goods this Black Friday, perhaps we’ve forgotten about the “goods” that really matter: growing in holistic personal health (emotional, physical, spiritual, psychological, etc.), maintaining relationships (with family, friends, and loved ones), or taking time to say, “I’m sorry” or “I love you” or “Forgive me” or “How can I help?” And let’s not forget about the REALLY important “goods” that can’t be bought: truth, justice, mercy, love, grace, forgiveness, peace, healing, wholeness, sacrifice, good will, compassion, kindness, generosity, respect, faith, hope, reconciliation, and so much more.
As the lines for the sacrament of Reconciliation are dwindling in Churches around the country, the lines to get into Best Buy, Wal-Mart, JC Penny’s, etc. are growing around the country. WHY? Because we’ve inverted our priorities! Instead of focusing on those things that will better our lives in the long run (in heaven!) we’ve given into focusing on those things that will “better” our lives on earth, but which won’t ultimately satisfy us. Are you looking for a good deal? Run to GOD’S MERCY!! It’s always FREE, and you can’t beat free!
As stores are trying to get “in the black” on this Black Friday, are we trying to get “in the black” in our lives, regarding our relationships, regarding how we live, regarding the things we do and say? Perhaps we’ve been operating at a deficit for some time now. When do we want to start operating with a profit, with a surplus of wealth? That requires that we make the effort to turn our deficit into a profit. That requires that we turn away from the things that won’t ultimately satisfy, to Him who alone can satisfy us. If you’re not living the kind of full life that you want, maybe it’s because you haven’t heard of or embraced the offer of Him who came to bring us the fullness of life. Jesus once said (and now says to us!), “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (see John 10:10).
So this Black Friday, take the time to invest in those “goods” that really matter, and you might just be surprised that you’re satisfied with “less” because, in fact, you have “more.”
For those of you who read these words, may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain with you forever.
“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look kindly upon you and give you peace.” ~ Numbers 6:24-26
P.S. Please don't think I'm being negative in this post. I'm only offering a reflection....an examination of conscience, if you will......to help us understand where our eyes are focused: on the world, or on Christ? That's the question. So in the midst of shopping, etc. let's keep our eyes on Christ, trusting that the "deal" He gave us through His death on the cross.....namely, the free gift of salvation.....is the best deal of all :)
For many people, today (often identified as “Black Friday” because it’s the day that many stores come into “the black,” financially speaking) is a day to find and embrace great deals….in preparation for Christmas, or just because. Today, there are lots of sales and discounts and early hours in businesses around the country. “Get it while the gettin’ is good” could be the motto for Black Friday.
But if our whole motivation is the accumulation of more and more “stuff,” whether for ourselves or for others, what are we missing out on? And where are our priorities in the midst of all this shopping?
In focusing so much on the possession of material goods this Black Friday, perhaps we’ve forgotten about the “goods” that really matter: growing in holistic personal health (emotional, physical, spiritual, psychological, etc.), maintaining relationships (with family, friends, and loved ones), or taking time to say, “I’m sorry” or “I love you” or “Forgive me” or “How can I help?” And let’s not forget about the REALLY important “goods” that can’t be bought: truth, justice, mercy, love, grace, forgiveness, peace, healing, wholeness, sacrifice, good will, compassion, kindness, generosity, respect, faith, hope, reconciliation, and so much more.
As the lines for the sacrament of Reconciliation are dwindling in Churches around the country, the lines to get into Best Buy, Wal-Mart, JC Penny’s, etc. are growing around the country. WHY? Because we’ve inverted our priorities! Instead of focusing on those things that will better our lives in the long run (in heaven!) we’ve given into focusing on those things that will “better” our lives on earth, but which won’t ultimately satisfy us. Are you looking for a good deal? Run to GOD’S MERCY!! It’s always FREE, and you can’t beat free!
As stores are trying to get “in the black” on this Black Friday, are we trying to get “in the black” in our lives, regarding our relationships, regarding how we live, regarding the things we do and say? Perhaps we’ve been operating at a deficit for some time now. When do we want to start operating with a profit, with a surplus of wealth? That requires that we make the effort to turn our deficit into a profit. That requires that we turn away from the things that won’t ultimately satisfy, to Him who alone can satisfy us. If you’re not living the kind of full life that you want, maybe it’s because you haven’t heard of or embraced the offer of Him who came to bring us the fullness of life. Jesus once said (and now says to us!), “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (see John 10:10).
So this Black Friday, take the time to invest in those “goods” that really matter, and you might just be surprised that you’re satisfied with “less” because, in fact, you have “more.”
For those of you who read these words, may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain with you forever.
“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look kindly upon you and give you peace.” ~ Numbers 6:24-26
P.S. Please don't think I'm being negative in this post. I'm only offering a reflection....an examination of conscience, if you will......to help us understand where our eyes are focused: on the world, or on Christ? That's the question. So in the midst of shopping, etc. let's keep our eyes on Christ, trusting that the "deal" He gave us through His death on the cross.....namely, the free gift of salvation.....is the best deal of all :)
So true....this is good for me to reflect on, where are our priorities? We do need to invest in the "goods" that really matter!!!
ReplyDeleteYea but does that come on a big screen for $499? ;)
ReplyDelete