Walking
through the stores these days is to see firsthand the results of the unbridled
commercialism of our country. As a
consumer-driven nation, we have raised generations of children who are without
constraint as to their “needs”. Children’s
programming is laced with all the “must haves” of the season. Advertisers have
honed their craft to perfection, with appealing and energetic commercials that
emphasize the absolute importance of owning the latest – clothing styles, video
games, electronics, toys,… the list is endless. And so is the whining, pouting,
screaming, & temper tantrums that can be loudly heard throughout malls and
stores everywhere! It’s a parent’s nightmare!
The
stores themselves add to the problem in that they are only too happy to oblige
their young consumers’ greed. Every aisle is jam-packed at a child’s eye level
with those very items that have been touted again and again on television. The “must
have” item is there, so readily available…
“So why can’t I have it?” And it’s not a new problem! Clear back in the
Golden Age of the 1950s, the latest toys flashed across the screen in a
relentless march! We wanted Barbie, Patty Play pal, & Chatty Cathy, or
Matchbox cars, Lincoln logs, & erector sets. Children then, and now, have serious cases of
the “gimmies”. We want it, have to have
it, will “die” if we don’t get it. After all, EVERYONE else has it (implying
that 1- I will be a loser if I don’t get it or 2- You are a bad parent if I don’t
get it!) And we all know that even when we do get it, the next new thing has
already come along, devaluing the “must have” that we just got. It’s a never
ending cycle of wanting!
There
was a song written a few years back by Benny Hester called “The Never-Ending
Shopping List” that recognized the propensity that Christians have to also get
the “gimmie” disease. So often we use our prayer lives as opportunities to tell
God all the things we must have, need to have, should have,…in order to live
happily and serve the Lord with gladness. I am pretty sure that God must shake
His head at our childish selfishness when He has so willingly & completely
provided for us. His Word says He gives us everything we need to do what He
asks us to do & supplies all our needs liberally out of His endless
resources. If we ask, He gives - not
always what we ask for but exactly what He knows we truly need. After all, He
sees the big picture, not the limited vision that we have, and prepares us for
the long term rather than our immediate satisfaction! He delights in fulfilling
our desires and can do way more than we ask or think, but still we grumble
& complain either about His timing or His methods. We would prefer He
behave like the genie in a magic lamp or a vending machine – request in, demand
met…whether it is good for us or not!
But in His perfect Fatherhood, He gives only what He deems beneficial! He isn’t swayed by our many words, our
moaning, or even our temper tantrums! His gifts are always good and perfect! As givers, we should strive to do as well!
So the next time you’re subjected
to the outcries of some whining, complaining kid with the “gimmie” disease, use
the occasion to thank God for all your blessings & do an attitude check of your
prayer life. It should be a time to worship God, present your requests with
boldness, & then rest in trusting Him to supply - rather than spending your
prayer time enumerating an endless list of “needs”. He already knows them
anyway!
Blessings…
No comments:
Post a Comment