"Tell Me What I Need"

By Calvin and Lisa Wulf

 “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”  Matthew 6:8 (NIV)

They curl up in front of the TV, remote in hand.

“Oh – another commercial,” she says, clicking the mute button.    

“Why do you always take the sound away?” asks her five-year-old grandson.

“Well, I just don’t like all that noise.”

“But Grandma – if I can’t hear the commercials, how will I know what I need?”    

Commercials constantly seduce us.  Listen to their theme song:  We’ll be happy, sexy, and rich if we buy their product.  If we don’t we’ll be lonely, boring, and poor.  All we really need is the right shade of lipstick and everything will be peachy.  Or will it?

Advertisements are like little garage door openers that let in things we don’t really need.  We’re convinced that if we buy the right car, our lives will improve.  So we do it.  But everything stays the same.  Do we really need this stuff or are we chained to the treadmill of consumerism?

Many commercials offer us empty promises.  No wonder we end up unsatisfied and wanting more.  Media overload can turn our hearts from God toward worldly concerns.  Are we seeking material solutions to spiritual needs? 

In ancient times gatekeepers patrolled the city walls.  They let in the good and kept out the bad.  Who’s our modern gatekeeper?  Is it the media or God?  Listening to ads is like taking advice from strangers.  Perhaps we should listen to the Lord instead.  After all, we know him.  He only wants the best for us. 

Need to screen out some media messages?  Try these filters:

·        Think before you buy.  Will this item really guarantee your happiness?

·        Take stock.  Maybe God asks you to be content with what you have.

·        Be selective about the messages you let in.  Give God your garage door opener.

Do your desires come from the songs of our commercialized culture?  The Father knows what you need even before you ask.  So give these desires to God and put him in charge.  With such a gatekeeper, you can never go wrong.

Living for God (TM) offers resources on Christian living.  Check them out at www.livingforgod.net or call (719) 578-8837.

© 2007 Calvin R. Wulf and Lisa Are Wulf