I don’t spend a lot of time shopping. It is not my favorite pastime.
Recently, I walked into a large department store and had about 3 items on my
list. It was not very long before I felt very lost and very overwhelmed – maybe
even a taste of what people from third world countries feel like when they come
to this country. With the help of a few sales associates, I finally was able to
get most of the things I was looking for and exit the store. I breathed a sigh
of relief as I headed for my car and promised to not put myself through that
again any time soon.
In our commerce driven society, we are constantly told that
we have a need for whatever it is they are trying to sell. And we are promised
that we will find happiness if we purchase their product. But even if we are
happy at first, the happiness does not last very long. The bottom line is that “things”
cannot make us happy. To add to that, we have the problem of “overchoice” which
Wikipedia defines as: “The phenomenon of overchoice occurs when many equivalent
choices are available. Making a decision
becomes overwhelming due to the many potential outcomes and risks that may
result from making the wrong choice.” (Wikipedia accessed 12/18/18.) This adds
to our stress and frustration as we try to make the best choice to secure our
happiness.
A very wise King Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes in
which he speaks frequently of things being “meaningless”. In an effort to find
satisfaction in life, he studies every aspect of life – relationships, health,
wealth, etc. and finds that none of these things can bring happiness. He was a
man who had “everything” a man could want. But happiness did not come from
those things. He discovered that happiness was a choice that we make every day.
“Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have.” Ecclesiastes
6:9 NLT He found value in reputation, wisdom from God and caring for
relationships to be important building blocks for happiness. But in the end, it
is a choice that doesn’t depend on anything or anyone but ourselves.
I am pondering these things as we approach Christmas Day.
Vendors are at their peak in advertising as we ponder what gifts to give our
family and friends. I love to give gifts. I have the spiritual gift of giving. Through
the years, I have learned that gifts from the heart are always more meaningful
than anything we can purchase in a store or online. Time given to others –
family, friends and even strangers – has more meaning than the most extravagant
purchased gifts. I have watched many people set the gift aside unopened and go
for the hug and the conversation.
So what do I need to be happy this year? Only a good,
growing relationship with the Lord. I will choose to be happy and I will enjoy
what the Lord gives me today such as family, friends, enough to eat and drink
today, a warm place to lay my head at night and yes, even the hard things in
life that help me grow and go further in and deeper still with the Lord. “Every
good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the
heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
Thank you Lord, for every good and perfect gift You give me.
I am grateful that You notice me and know me intimately and that You provide
everything that I need each day. I choose to be happy today knowing that I am
blessed by You. You are a good, good Father and I love you. Amen.
