“God of our Lord Jesus the Anointed, Father of Glory: I call out to You on behalf of Your people. Give them minds ready to receive wisdom and revelation so they will truly know You. Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance. Let them see the full extent of Your power that is at work in those of us who believe, and may it be done according to Your might and power.” – Ephesians 1:17-19

I was shopping with my daughter this past weekend.  As we stood to check out at a retail establishment, the sales associate asked for my email address.  I said no.  She continued, “But I need your email address to finish the transaction.”  “No you don’t.” I replied. She pressed on explaining how, by giving her my address, I would receive wonderful coupons and promotions.  I still refused.  This impasse continued until the manager came over and proceeded to finish my transaction (without my email!)

As we were leaving, my daughter asked why I wouldn’t give the nice lady my email address.  Without thinking I replied that this particular store didn’t need that kind of access to my brainspace.  Then it took me another 30 minutes to explain my comments.

The way I see it, I am bombarded with junk email everyday.  I spend countless amounts of time sifting through messages that mean nothing to me.  I don’t worry over it, but it does take up time and energy to delete all of them.  And I don’t need them in the first place.  I know where the store is.  I know what they sell.  If I need something from them, I will go and get it.  I don’t need them trying to sell me something twice a week.

I figure many of you might feel the same way.  If I don’t give out my email address, then I control my contact with all these outside entities competing for my attention and money – and not the other way around.  Hence, my resistance.

However my thought today leads me to question this attitude when it comes to God.  Do I have the same consumer mentality when it comes to my relationship with Him?

Do I openly seek His input in all aspects of my life, or do I put Him on a shelf, only to be retrieved when I need something?  Is my attitude one of humble obedience in all matters, or does my pride lead me to be “king of my own destiny” until something falls apart?

I think about these things because I know myself.  I know that I have a deep-seeded need for control over all things in my life, probably more than most of you.  Not only do I like the idea of being self-sufficient, but I also don’t like anyone interfering with my carefully constructed life.  Not even God.  Although I call myself a Christ-follower, sometimes I question whether I am following His lead, or asking Him to follow and bless mine.  Maybe it’s time that I consider opening my heart, mind and will to Him a little more and living the plan He has for me.  I wonder what that would look like.

How about you, my friends?

Grace and peace to you.