Stepping Stones: Shopping…For What?

Transformational Tip

Well, Christmas is just a couple days away. How are you doing with your shopping list? Shopping isn’t my thing, never was, never will be. Since I don’t like shopping, I procrastinate up to the last second. You guessed it…I’ve become an incredibly efficient Christmas Eve shopper. It really is a lot of fun as people are in better moods, excitement is in the air, less than 24 hours till the magic of Christmas, and a party atmosphere everywhere you go. Try it next year, or at least save some of your list for the Christmas Eve.

But you see, shopping is about finding something to fill a need for someone. To me, shopping is for not a just a want, but a need. As a psychiatrist, when I think about “shopping” for something to help fill someone’s need, the items can’t be found in any store. Value, purpose, connection, identity, security, consistency, meaning, competence, ability, and love aren’t for sale. Watching all the commercials or ads in the paper you would swear these precious needs are in every store and even on sale, but they’re not.

The most important gift, the foundation to all the gifts I listed above, is a relationship with our almighty Creator and Father, our God. These precious needs are what we all desire and need…what we are all yearning for. We wish they could be easily bought and given to us in a pretty package, but they came in a manger and they are FREE.

This is the true and amazing story of Christmas. God gave us the most loving and unbelievable gift of all time to meet all our needs completely. It cost Him and Jesus a lot…but it is truly free to us. Really, it is the grandest gift ever given. That is what we are blessed to celebrate on Christmas Day.

Today, think how you will receive God’s gift each day to affect the issues you struggle with…to address and meet all your real needs. God has given you what you need. Learn how to use it. WITHIN REACH can help you apply God’s gift to your areas of need. Also, consider how you can give this gift to your loved ones who need it. It’s more valuable than anything you can buy, make, or give from this world. Don’t be shy about sharing. You might cheat someone from receiving the greatest gift ever given.

Prayer
Dear Father God, You are so amazing and awesome. Thanks so much for loving me and caring about my well-being. Not only do You care for me, You even sacrificed Your only Son, sent Him to die for me…not because I did great things for You, but because I am a wretched sinner. I am so happy You are the perfect shopper and got me the perfect gift. I pray in the name of the one You sent to forgive me, save me, heal me - Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!

The Truth
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16,17

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:31,32

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Malachi 3:10

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4