I used to love shopping. I think it was the thrill of the hunt - what was I going to find today? Oh, it made me happy for a little while! I had to give a talk on priorities and read that to find your priorities look through your checkbook. (It's been a while.) You can look through your bank statement online. That really got my attention. I loved finding treasures but one day I realized the best treasures are time with God and doing what He wants me to do. And that still gives me the thrill of the hunt! Who knows what He will put in my path today!
I saw this quote recently. "Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 day book. Write a good one." It really got my attention as I get so caught up in the things of this world. You may love shopping like I did or you may spend your time trying to get through one day and preparing for the next. All the while, trying to find happiness on our own. Ephesians 5: 15-16, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." I will never get back the time I wasted outside of God's plan for me. What I have realized is that my time is too limited to spend on shopping, stresses, sin, burdens, etc. I, now, ask God to help me use my time and money wisely before I walk into a store. I know I have free will so I need a lot of help. Psalm 90: 12, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
James 4: 13-15, says, "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'”
"To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a traveler who just missed a flight.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask the driver who just avoided a car accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the athlete who won a silver medal at the Olympics." Proverbs 31 Ministries
Jesus tells us in John 15: 5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Abiding means making Jesus the most important person in our life making Him the center of everything. This is when we experience God's true joy! And that feels better than any shopping trip or whatever you do to waste time. When we focus on God we are not focusing on our problems. We won't be stressing trying to make it day to day but can experience peace knowing that no matter what, God is in charge. Philippians 4: 7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
May you find peace, joy, and purpose in the ways in which you spend each moment of your time today! "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"