SEEK YE FIRST!

I tracked it like a predator tracking its prey. I had seen it on television and knew it would only be a matter of time before it would show up in the local Walgreen’s. I became the hunter gatherer. At least once a week I would go into Walgreen’s and stalk the “As Seen On TV” section, hoping that I would find it between the superb pancake maker, the fantastic hair remover potion, the extraordinary porcelain restorer, the miraculous oxygen cleanser, the profound space preserver, and the powerful portable hand held sewing machine. Alas, for almost a month I returned home from the hunt empty handed.

Then, one Sunday, after dinner with the in-laws, I stop at Walgreen’s on my way home. I was shopping for something else, but on my way to the check out counter I glance over at that section. I scan each level, bottom to top, hoping against hope. Then, there, on the top shelf, could it be? Yes, there it is; the prey is in sight! I gasp, blink a couple of times and adjust my vision. Slowly, as I keep my eye on the prize, I quietly walk over to the section, reach up to the top shelf and grasp it firmly in hand. Eureka! At last, victory! I rush back to the check out counter.

The clerk scans my trophy, then asks, “What is it?” I quietly explain that having seen it on television, I decided that this was something I needed. She looks around, then in a conspiratorial whisper asks me, “Where did you find it?” I point to the section and in my best sotto voce voice I say, “At the top.” She looks over to the section, passes me my prize, and says, “Ohhh, I’d better get one right now.”

I drive home excited and pleased with the tenacity that has resulted in my bringing home this prize. The next day, as I watch “The Price Is Right” with my husband, I pull out my prize and begin to put it to work, smiling and humming to myself. My husband sits at the foot of the bed, and glances back at me from time to time, but says nothing. My daughter, who who is not working today, walks into our bedroom and sits down at the head of our bed. Between comments about the dumb bids of the contestants, she also watches me, but says nothing. . .for a while. Happily oblivious to their mounting curiosity, I continue to whistle and work and congratulate myself on my prize and my productivity.

Finally, my daughter can stand it no longer. “Mama, what is that?” I proudly hold up my blue trophy and announce that it is a “Flip and Fold”.

“A what?” She looks at me rather strangely. My husband looks back at us but says nothing.

“A Flip and Fold. This little baby is going to help me organize my closets and shelves.” I point proudly to the shirts I have just flip folded, a crisp tower of perfectly folded garments.

“Look at this, clean sharp lines, magnificently folded, just like in a department store. Saves space too.”

My daughter, who manages a retail store, responds: “We just use cardboard.”

I consider the statement for a moment, then reply, “I suppose I could have made one of these out of cardboard.” A pall begins to form over my folding happiness. But when I place my finished product on a shelf and stand back to admire the symmetry, I think, “Na-aah!”

I tell my daughter, “You ought to buy one of these for your store, just $14.99 at Walgreen’s. It would be a lot quicker.”

I hope she will catch my enthusiasm as I return to my whistling and working and folding. I am happy; it doesn’t get much better than this. I am oblivious to the laughter of my daughter and my husband.

Hmmmm. I think I feel a life lesson coming on.

I wonder, how is it that a $14.99 novelty item can get me so worked up while the ransom of Christ no longer excites me as it once did?

How can I get so excited about the inconsequential things of this life, put all my time and energy into acquiring stuff while too often overlooking the eternal hope that is in in Christ Jesus?

Why have my needs and wants become greater than this great salvation, and how is it that it is so easy for me to neglect (be careless with, make light of) this great salvation, leaving it wanting while I seek the things of this temporal realm?

Yes, I know, if I have believed the gospel, confessed, believed, and received the gospel, I have not ignored (neglected) the greater salvation (versus the law), but where do I stand now in the light of the gospel? Am I neglecting the work God planned in advance for me; am I working out my salvation with fear and trembling?

My “Flip and Fold” has three steps I must follow to achieve a crisply folded shirt or towel. If I follow the sequence, the finished product will turn out as promised by the manufacturer.

My growth in Christ has three steps. If I follow the sequence, obedience-comittment-sacrifice (deny, take up cross, follow), the finished product (me) will come out as promised by the manufacturer (mature believer).

It is amazing the things the Father uses to teach me a lesson.