Sometimes I want something new. Sometimes I want lots of new somethings. Sometimes I don’t even know why, there is no real necessity, but I just gotta have new stuff.
I’m not going to project my weaknesses onto all of you, so I’ll just assume that this is something that I alone struggle with. (Although, something tells me that there are others who have to battle out the urge to splurge too.)
This weekend I received an e-mail from one of my favorite shopping boutiques. Forty percent off of already marked down sale items…this weekend only. Something leaped within me. I need. I want. I must have… These thoughts continued to monopolize my mind all through Friday. And then again on Saturday. I started scheming and planning out my attack on Ann Taylor Loft. When could I steal away a few hours to shop till I dropped? How could I finagle the finances to satisfy the consumer craving of my soul? It seemed the only day that would remotely work out in my favor (and I would have to really squeeze it into our already over-stuffed schedule) was Sunday. Late Sunday. With a twinge of conviction tugging deep, deep down in my soul, I set my sights on a Sunday afternoon shopping spree.
Then, because I have to believe the Holy Spirit – who is forever looking out for my very best and could see I wasn’t acknowledging His subtle nudgings – decided to speak up a little louder. In my quiet time Sunday morning I read Psalm 23.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
The first verse stopped me in my tracks. I shall not want.
The Message translation says this: God, my Shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
Gentle, but clear, I was reminded of the abundance I have received from the Lord. Yes, I have everything I need. Whatever void I was feeling – emotional, spiritual or simply materialistic lust – would never be filled will a new blouse, a new sweater or a new pair of jeans. That void, that urge to splurge, was a soul calling out for God to come and satisfy in a way that only he can.
Without shame or condemnation I turned the direction of my focus on the Shepherd, the One, who has given me everything that I need, everything that a girl could possibly want (and then some), and poured out a heart of thanksgiving and gratitude. Rather than catch the final hours of the sale, I found rest in the peace and contentment of God’s constant and complete provision.
He is everything I need, even when forty percent off is desperately calling my name.
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God’s timing is perfect! Perhaps He has another sale in mind for you!