lessons in waiting (this post is brought to you by Black Friday)

Feel free to judge away, but I'm a Black Friday shopper. For the longest time, I didn't know the difference between Good Friday and Black Friday, but it's become a tradition for some of the ladies in my family. We're not super intense, but we do get up pretty early and have vague plan for what stores we're heading for and items we have our eyes out for. It's just a fun time for us. Similar to hunting I presume--both activities have much opposition. I understand the disgust with our society's obsession with consumerism, if that's where you sit--not arguing that, but that's another post for another blog. Anyway...

There were sleeping bags left laying outside of one store, along with trash and obvious remnants that someone had spent a fair amount of time treating the sidewalk as their own personal campsite. My first purchase of the day was a $1.99 DVD from Walmart and I waited about 20 minutes in line to pay for that one measly item. There were news stories about people waiting for days outside on Black Friday.

And after seeing all of this, I have to wonder, is what we're currently waiting for worth the wait?

God knew we'd be this way--wasting all of our patience and anticipation on ridiculousness that won't even be wanted next year. Isn't it scary how easily we fall to that? I know I do anyway. Paul knew the people of Colosse did too.

He said this:
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)

Your life is now hidden with Christ in God. We're waiting for what is hidden to be revealed and that is the only thing worth waiting for; not earthly things. DVDs, TVs, cars, fame, money, that perfect relationship. Call us blessed when God provides it, most certainly, but it's not worth hanging our hope on, folks. Those are the perks along the journey of the greater wait--the coffee in your hand and the friend by your side. We're waiting for the best deal of all...totally free...the anticipation is to live for.

Jesus--He's the hope that won't ever disappoint. May your mind be set on that while you wait.