By Josephine Lim Weston
Yesterday my husband and I went shopping for clothes (that we needed for the weather). Well I'm not a keen shopper but my husband finds shopping therapeutic sometimes - you'll be surprised how shopping can make some people so happy (provided you find what you came for, at least for me). My husband found what he wanted from the very first shop we entered and at a very good discounted price that caught us by surprise. But for me we almost gave up but decided to look inside the final shop at the very end of the row before we headed home. We were quite tired by then, at least I was.
I prayed in my heart that I would find a reasonably thick leggings before we arrived at the last shop. We finally found one that looked like thermal that I didn't pray for and took a few potential pants along to the fitting room. None fitted except the thermal leggings. I was disappointed but surprisingly, before we exited the fitting room, I saw a pair of pants hanging all on its own by the exit of the fitting area and I looked and it was for ages 14-15 but looked just my size. So I headed back to the fitting room and tried it on and it was perfect - just the right size and length even though not the right age. We were both happy that our mission was accomplished.
By the time we finished shopping, it was almost seven in the evening. I prefer home-cooked meals, but considering it might take us a long time to reach home, prepare, cook and eat I told my husband maybe it's a good idea to eat out and of course my husband rejoiced with the idea. We initially decided to go to Nando's as we thought it will be quicker and they have gluten-free meals but when we arrived (it was raining heavily by then), we saw very long queue inside Nando's hence we quickly proceeded to the restaurant of my husband's first choice - a Sichuan restaurant. My husband enjoys Chinese food. We thought it will be tricky to find gluten-free menu in a Chinese restaurant but, what a surprise, the waiters were happy to see us and also gladly catered to our dietary requirement. We had a good day of shopping and a satisfying meal at the end of the evening.
While I was lying in bed pondering over all that transpired from the shopping trip last night, a song came to my mind - I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.
Then a thought came - "Am I following Jesus and doing His will by going shopping instead of doing mission work, helping the poor and needy, and/or sharing the gospel with others? Is God pleased with me? Am I doing His will or doing enough for Christ?"
Then an answer came - "Whatever you're doing if it's based on love, it's of God." I guess I must not have understood the answer yet as, instead of accepting the answer, I began to justify that I do help to encourage others to draw near to God from time to time, etc but am I doing enough?
Then another answer came - "Whatever you're doing from love, you're doing the will of God." Although it's true we were shopping for clothes we needed I also know my husband does enjoy shopping from time to time even though it might just be window shopping or just going out for a stroll. My husband has been accommodating as he understands that I need to have enough rest especially on weekends so I was happy that we got to go out together yesterday and I could see the joy on his face.
So whenever the thought of not doing enough for God or for the church comes to mind, do remember this - "Whatever we do - whether it's ministry, service, work, hobby, fellowship with others, cooking, shopping, etc - if it's based on love then it's of God and it pleases Him. Whatever that's not of love it's definitely not of God. God sees our hearts.
1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all that you do be done in love.
