We were in Wichita last weekend and drove past a “TOYS R US” store. Well, let me correct that, we stopped at the Toys R Us store. With three little children ages 6, 9, & 11, it is not easy to pass that kind of a store, especially as Christmas nears. Before my wife and I even noticed the store, pleas of “please can we stop”, “please” were coming from the back seat.
Well, here was the deal, “Ok, we will stop, BUT we are not buying anything, do you understand?” We were only looking to get ideas for Christmas presents but “We are not buying anything.” As I recall, we left and hour or so later with only one purchase…a gift for someone else. But that does not mean they did not try us; to set something back on lay away, buy it now before it is sold out and hide it at home, or just get it now and we would not have to buy them anything for Christmas.
Stores like Toys R Us really know how to entice children. Low shelving, bikes where you can not only touch but also ride, demos going on in every aisle, Lego models put together and behind glass making them look so simple. They even had a special area where you could play and buy the latest versions of X Box 360, Nintendo DS, DIS, and Nintendo Wii. These stores have absolutely no compassion for parents. Churches could be tempting also; forgiven (and forgotten) sins, unconditional love, fellowship, acceptance, guidance, and promise of a heavenly home.
Whether it is a toy store or a church, it’s not the building, but what is inside that counts. We may buy something in the toy store that lasts only a short time. We are given something inside the church that lasts forever. It may be hard to accept that the ultimate store wants to give us the ultimate gift and it will not cost us anything. Paul wrote, “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
Today Christmas is only 15 shopping days away, and we can pace ourselves right up to the very last day before Christmas to get that last gift. But our last chance to accept the free gift of salvation may be today. Don’t get caught just window-shopping.
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