~ by Terry Walters
Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 1:9-10
Shopping is not one of my favorite things to do.
I like to run in, get what I need, and get out.
I kind of like the one-stop stores for that reason -
no need to run all over town to try to find what you want or need.
Unfortunately, that is still rare.
Back in the 1960s in Forsyth, IL,
you could grocery shop at Walters’ Grocery and later at Farmer Fred's.
Before the “Farmer” came along,
The Mule Barn was kind of a one-stop store.
And there was the Lumber Yard for those needs.
I used to ride my bike to Shopper’s World in Decatur
for important stuff like the latest 45 rpm record!
All of that is fine when you are filling your grocery, household, or clothing lists,
but when it comes to being a Christian,
you don't get to pick and choose what you like in your faith
and skip the parts you don't like.
You can't put salvation in your cart but leave out good works.
You can't just add baptism and communion
and leave regular prayer and Bible study on the shelves.
Too many Christians live that way,
as if being a Christian means it's just fine
to go around with a partially filled cart.
No! You won't find anything like that described in the Bible.
You should get the whole list - and the list keeps growing!
You see, the goal is to be like Jesus
and that takes way more than just
picking up a few essentials in Aisle #1!
Test your “cart” with the list in our scripture passage
and see what needs to be added to your cart.
Then work on it!
Prayer:Thank You, Father, for Your presence within us
and bringing Your character into our lives.
Give us the desire to be even more like You each day.
Give us the wisdom to spend time with You
so that we might have more of the traits
that You displayed for us in Jesus
and to never settle for less than everything You want us to be.
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