That Need...

I saw that phone... I need that...

I saw that bag... I need that...

I saw that top... I need that...

I'm a girl. Of course, that's the kind of conversation I have with myself when I go shopping or (mostly) window shopping. The constant battle of need vs. want is probably what every shopping lady presents before their own jury. I love nice things and I appreciate looking nice, too. Nothing wrong, right? Nothing at all. It's only the heart issue that we all have to be wary of. Left unchecked and ungaurded, we will all fall prey of what we think satisfies us to the brim. When I am about to feel the weight of the world's standards on my shoulders as I foresee a minor panic attack while holding onto tops that are up for a debate, I pause and buzz myself, "Ginj, you're crazy. Do you even need this?"

I need this because I want to feel accepted. 

I need this because I want to look a certain way.. 

I need this because I think I will turn heads...

crap.

I once watched this show about women who deal with major spending problems. There was this girl who bought things that she didn't even realize she already had and would rather spend on clothes than pay rent. She then went to this store and had some sort of nervous breakdown cause she really wanted to buy a dress, but she knew she had to step it up and walk away. The concerned clerk rushed to her side then asked why. She said, "I just really want this. I just want to have pretty things." To which he replied, "Oh sweetie. (Hugs her). It's just a dress. It's not world peace."

This may not resonate with you if you don't even think world peace is a better counterpart to a Valentino or Vera Wang dress that you really want. Whatever choice you think is better, it speaks a principle here: Material things will never complete you. It means it can never hold you to make you feel loved. It means it can never speak life to you to make you feel worth it. It means it can never hug you to to secure every inch of your inner and outer needs. It doesn't complete you. At the end of the day, your P 10,000 pantsuit or P 85,000 Celine bag is not going to sustain a joyful spirit in your lifetime. 

Let's make it clear. I have no issues with the desire to dress beautifully. Fix your hair, get your nails done, treat yourself to a shopping spree... GO! You deserve it! It's the attitude behind every desire to buy or be a certain way that must be constantly checked and alighed with God's Truth of His love for you.

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

Colossians 2:6-8