I'm always looking out for areas of our lives where we can give God more access, especially if they are areas where we don't normally think about him. This is an example.

Proverbs 23:23 (ANIV)
Buy the truth and do not sell it;
get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

Get down to your local supermarket. Take this text and yourself.

How much praying, or God-awareness is going on when you're in the supermarket? When those automatic doors slide open, are you purely and simply in "task mode"? If he prompted you to speak to someone, or help someone, would you be in a place to hear? Or are you tunnel-visioned like I often am? Do you become a bargain hunter with little thought for your health or the health of food producers around the world? Is God there in your trolley or whimpering in the car like a forgotten puppy?

God wants us to share every part of our lives with him, so I know God wants us to enjoy shopping with him. There is a real freedom in talking to God (privately!) in a public place, and much thankfulness to be conveyed for what greets our eyes. Can you believe the diversity of foodstuffs that are presented to us these days? Sometimes I simply love looking at them all, without the slightest intention of purchasing! I'm thinking "God, thank you so much for all this provision. We are so blessed."

So, pray your way around the aisles for the next 20 minutes or so, giving thanks for the products and praying for the parts of the world represented by them. Pray for those folks who suffer greatly in developing countries, to give us the luxury of cheap food. Give thanks that you have money to spend. Speak to the store management, ensuring that they are stocking products with the "Fairtrade" mark. These days it goes far beyond bananas and chocolate. You can keep up to date with what produce is available via www.fairtrade.org.uk.

If you feel you need to push an empty trolley around with you, to get into the vibe, then go for it. If you actually need stuff, then feel free to grab!!! Hopefully the next time you're back, your praying self will have more of a chance of kicking in!

You could apply this thought to all types of shopping. Or would God ask us too many awkward questions like, "Do you need this, or do you simply want it?" When did we start believing that "retail therapy" was detachable from our spiritual lives? Once you get home, show Jesus around your house as a kind of "virtual estate agent". Do every room. How would you explain the need for everything that he finds? Are we counter-cultural, or merely clinging to the culture of the counter?  

From God 360°, written and copyright © 2006 Andy Flannagan
Reproduced with permission from Andy Flannagan.

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