Cyber Monday Challenge

Colossians 2:6-7, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (NKJV)

We have turned the calendar on Thanksgiving and we are moving full steam ahead toward Christmas. Although I must say that many of us have seen the "signs" of Christmas since September or October. It seems the modern American business culture is always prepared to offer us the best deal or the best price on the latest toy, technical gadget, style of clothes, new automobile, truck or SUV, etc. that humanity has ever seen. The sad part of my previous statement is in the fact that many of us will fall prey to this tactic because we believe that these "possessions" will either bring happiness to us or to someone that we love. And in some cases these deals are meant to cause both the purchaser of the gift as well as the recipient of the gift receive great pleasure and happiness from this purchase. But let's be honest with each other for a moment. Isn't it true that even the greatest measure of satisfaction is only temporary at its very best? Over a period of time and with the use of the gift or even the non-use of the gift the glitter and the glitz that accompanied the gift has soon disappeared.

Do not jump to any conclusion about this post before you read the full content. I am not the reincarnation of Mr. Scrooge. I share gifts with family and friends. I enjoy receiving gifts from my family and friends. I enjoy the "celebration" of Christmas but I am concerned how easily the meaning of Christmas is lost in all of the pretty paper, elegant decorations, wonderful sales and even the events of Christmas. 

It seems that each year we have to fight a little harder and pay even closer attention to our desire to keep the birth of Christ, the Savior of the world as the central theme of the celebration. Our schedules have already began to be filled with many events which are very wholesome and very enjoyable. I plan on enjoying these events but I realize that they will only provide me a temporary respite from the challenges of daily life. Life will continue after the food has been devoured. Life will continue once the smiles and laughter have subsided. Life will continue once the last guest has departed. And life will continue once the lights have been turned out. Let me add that I believe that God can use the above mentioned events as a "mental vacation" from the challenges of life. 

But the Apostle Paul reminded the Colossians that because they had received Christ they were given the opportunity to "walk in Him." Oh the joy of knowing that "we are in Christ and that Christ is in us." This is not just a temporary reprieve but it is an eternal promise. Enjoy your walk in Christ during the upcoming days of your life.