Black Friday.

I remember years ago whenever Black Friday shopping just meant that stores opened up a little bit earlier on Friday morning and had some incredible savings. Things sure have changed. It saddens me to think about Black Friday. In the span of the past few decades I have went out on Black Friday just three times. Well actually four times if you count that time we needed a few groceries and I really wasn’t thinking that through! I went one time by myself 9 years ago and it was the first time I had ever been. I went to two places, got a few things, and came home. I really didn’t care for it but it was nice just to get out of the house alone for a bit but I couldn’t believe how people behaved and the driving was worse than usual. I’ve also went twice with one of my sisters when she’s asked me to tag a long because we never see each other.  I don’t have a desire to go for the sake of going. It’s madness. Or sadness. It’s just too much. I save too little to spend too much on Black Friday. . . spending too much time waiting in lines, spending too much energy regulating my emotions, spending too much fuel driving around for parking. It’s too costly. My mental health is too important to me for that.

I think it’s okay to go Black Friday shopping if that’s what you want. I’m not judging. To each his own. I even think it’s okay for stores to be open on Thanksgiving because I can appreciate that many people have to work on Friday and won’t be able to get a good deal. What hurts my heart so much is when I look at these lines wrapping around a building, people hoping to save a few dollars, braving the cold and putting themselves in the most uncomfortable situations … shoving each other, cussing, climbing over one another, grabbing things out of others hands, screaming at other customers or cashiers. I mean honestly? This is where we are? Just to save a little bit of money people put themselves in that situation.

I’m never surprised how I know some of these same people who go out shopping on Black Friday who wouldn’t even stand for an hour in a soup kitchen serving the less fortunate because they don’t like the “conditions”  because they don’t like being around too many people or the weather might be bad or whatever reason. I’ve even see an insane amount of Facebook posts right after the big sales, of friends wanting to show off how much they got for such a great deal because they were first in line at 4 am, but the same people haven’t shown up to church on Sunday morning, citing their reason was they were too tired or it’s just too early to come in at 9 am when they work until 8 pm the night before. There are some things that I don’t guess I understand.

Consumerism.

What’s at the heart of it all? Is it consumerism? Or is it that we’re just desperately trying to buy something that can’t be bought? Something that we don’t have, that achy feeling inside that tells us to get it, that it’s worth standing in line for; it’s worth the savings.

I’m thankful for the Black Friday that saved my life .

The only Black Friday that I’m going to consume myself with is the knowledge of that which was accomplished at Calvary, the saving that happened on the cross, at Golgotha. Outside the city walls of Jerusalem, my savior, Jesus, hung up painfully on a wooden cross – next to a couple of criminals, as He died a blameless death; He died for a sinner like me, to purchase my life, my salvation.

“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left.“

Luke 23:33

The Messiah took our punishment, His Father’s wrath, for the sins of the entire world.

He was crucified. The earth shook at the grumbling of the earth quakes and graves were opened. The veil was torn in two. It was finished.

“And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood. Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore.“

Hebrews 13:12-13

 ^“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;  and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.”

Matthew 27:51-53

“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”

John 19:30

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth”

Matthew 12:40

That is the most priceless saving. I can’t buy my freedom. I can’t buy my salvation. I can’t pay for any of my sins, but Jesus paid for me.

Priceless.

I don’t have to linger here worrying about my eternal damnation or wondering what my worth is. I already know and I hope that you know, too. I have the Holy written Word of God to show me that only God could give me the love that I spent my life missing. Once Black Friday was a Good Friday.

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.“

Matthew 28:5-6

I’m praying that the Lord blesses you today and I am believing for safe travels for you if you’re out traveling for the holidays. Shop if you must today, but don’t shop till you drop. Maybe if you are out shopping today and grab some incredible deals you can bless others! Toys For Tots, The Salvation Army, and so many other incredible organizations can use donations, especially during this time of the year. Maybe you could foster a foster family by helping them out and purchasing their Christmas gifts/food items this year. Be blessed, friends!

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

1 Peter 2:24