With a very short list of necessities (milk, bread, pork ribs, and crab dip) I ventured through the chaos of the huge store. I knew when I couldn’t find a parking spot it would be bad. But this crowd was worse than the threat of a hurricane and Christmas Eve combined.
People were meandering everywhere I turned!
It seemed that no matter which way I maneuvered my giant buggy, there was someone stopped sampling store specials or visiting with a friend oblivious to the position of the cart—right in the middle of the aisle blocking all traffic. Other people were walking in a Costco daze very similar to a driver holding up a line of cars in the left lane. A pet peeve learned by osmosis after twenty years of marriage.
I desperately tried to maintain my Christian composure. But I’m afraid my attempt at a smile probably looked more like the look my kids get when they are in trouble.
“Don’t these people have anything else to do? Do they think this is Six Flags?!”
I knew it was Saturday. I knew it was the first of the month, but really, this just seemed over the top ridiculous. I paid, and got out of that store as fast as I could frustrated and fleshy. There was little light shining from this child of God.
Jesus was led by the Spirit out into a silent desert for forty days and forty nights. I was led into Costco on the Saturday before the Super Bowl. Jesus passed His testing with flying colors. I failed miserably.
After I had time to slow down and cool off the Lord gently asked me, “Why were you in such a hurry?”
I really didn’t have an answer. I had no specific schedule, no obligations or list of chores. I went home, put my purchases away, and sat down to watch whatever was on TV. I rarely do this. I usually have a lot to do, but on this day I didn’t.
“Why were you in such a hurry?” the Lord whispered a second time.
“I don’t know” I confessed.
His gentle rebuke didn’t sting; it just brought me back into His reality out of mine.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22,23).
I desperately desire more fruit and less flesh. More of Him and less of me.
(And a spiritual covering against the demon of self when I walk through the doors of Costco.)
“Redeem it Lord!”
“I already have.”
Much Grace and Peace my friends!
andy
