WalMart

I confess, this was a trap. Did you recognize it?
Hopefully, those of you who know me felt a tinge of something strange and thought “Okay, what’s Cros up to now?”
But maybe you didn’t. Maybe you just saw it as a common thing people do for a laugh. For the record, this picture I chose is supposedly a gag and not a “true person of Wal-Mart” that people post pictures of and hurl humorous commentary and laughter at.

I figure that most of the time, my posts are read by two types of people: Those who enjoy a good read, some poetry, a different take on things and the occasional feeling of a little conviction that their moral character could use a little polishing. Then there are those who connect with the Spiritual aspects of growing from faith to faith. I’m really okay with either, although I’d prefer that this be encouragement for those who confess Christ, to let His Spirit become more and the old carnal man becomes less… but that’s not a work that can be advanced by a blog post. That’s the work of The Spirit. All I can do is encourage and strive to know and get closer to Him.

Here’s The Word:

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

You know how easy it is to start with a thought, and no sooner than that thought enters your mind, your tongue has slipped into gear and began flowing with “unwholesomeness”? Most people, people-watch. And when we watch, of course we feel certain ways about what we see and without a second thought, the tongue starts lashing – “Oh my, look at …"
As a people trying to be different from the world, this should not be our way. You see them, but God hears you.

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

We are to be the Light life spreaders. Encouragement, edification and empathy to a world that’s blind to the beauty of Jesus.
How trivial and petty we must seem when we shy away from that charge but our attention and commentary is invoked when we see somebody bump into a pole because they were paying more attention to their cell phone rather than where they’re going; gasping at a woman dealing with an unruly child, the fashion sense of others or their driving habits.
Oh! We have SO much better things that we should be doing.
Instead of being comically condescending, be passionately prayerful. Be grateful that The Lord’s generosity has you in better place. Not to look down your nose but to give someone else a clearer view of Christ.
Also, have the courage to not laugh/like or share when "friends" try and get your consent. Your steadfast dedication to "righteousness" may be subtly helping them break away from chains that they themselves don't see.

The enemy sets many traps everyday. Do you see them? Are you looking? A more pertinent question is; are you praying that you be not lead to temptation, but delivered from evil.
Remember, Job found himself in a situation - From Satan's point of view it was a trap. He KNEW Job would curse God if He put so many painful distractions in his path. God however knew differently. To God it was a test that He knew Job could pass, and Scripture confirms "In all this Job didn't sin with his lips." Job 2:10. Our situations can't be compared to Job's, but our world is desperate for different.
The People of Wal-Mart (or those elsewhere in situations so easily talked about) need Jesus too…and not just as a joke or commentary on their choices.


In Him,
Cros