Your Cart is Empty by Justin March

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”Matthew 11:28-30

     I could not believe it.  As I read the text that came across my phone, I was astonished by the words presented.  The message had been masterfully crafted, and it felt like whomever hit that send button knew exactly how to capture my attention!

     25% off New Year’s Sale on all vinyl records.  What?  Are you freaking kidding me?  One of my favorite places to buy vinyl online was going to tempt me with a sale like this?  Didn’t they know I had made a resolution to not spend frivolously until we had recovered from the Christmas, vacation, and investment bills we always receive at the beginning of the year?

     As the albums loaded into my shopping cart, one by one, I was elated by the chance to purchase some gems at a discount, yet I was burdened with the thought of spending money on something I really don’t need.  The experience was both agonizing and exciting.  I had spent a lot of time sifting through the large catalog being offered, and the list at the end was quite extensive.  But as I looked at the albums I had placed on hold to purchase, I felt a lot of stress, and the weight of being enticed by these shiny things started to take a toll.

     So, what did I do?  I began to take away the albums I believed I could live without.  I knew my online shopping addiction was strong, and maybe if I limited myself to just a few, I would feel better about the decision I was making.  It was difficult to filter out some of the albums I really wanted, but I spent just as much time erasing them as I had entering them.  And by the time I got to the bottom of the page, wouldn’t you know it, I got a message that said, “Your shopping cart is empty.”

     Life can burden us down with things we really don’t need.  We walk the aisles being enticed by the latest offerings, the juicy gossip, and the promises this world makes to fulfill our lives.  But what we end up with is a shopping cart that becomes too heavy to push as it fills with never-ending obligations, constant comparisons, and feelings of exclusiveness.  And before we know it, the cart becomes so full we no longer have room for the tools God is asking us to carry as we travel our journeys that lead us to him.

     When the weight seems heavy and the load overbearing, begin to dump those carts.  Relinquish the things that are causing you stress so that you can make room for the items that bring you peace.  Fill them up with prayer, devotions, positivity, and love.  And when you find that cart overflowing with the gifts God has provided, share it with others so they too can enjoy his forgiveness and grace.  For one day, we will give that last push, and we will stand at the throne of our Savior.  And if we have fulfilled our missions and lived the discipled life God had wanted, I believe it will be his pleasure to welcome us in and say those precious four words we long to hear.  You are with me forever and now “Your Cart Is Empty.”