Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas? If you don’t count having all my children and grandchildren around the same Christmas tree, I did.

In 2013, I was already thinking about my Christmas list in October. No, I wouldn’t write my wants on a piece of paper in the form of a list, but believe me, I had started a list. Then I came across this verse of scripture, and realized I was about to step into one of the oldest traps in history. Colossians 3:1-2 says, If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (NKJV)

So I did that, but it wasn’t easy. A history of retail addiction made setting my mind on the heavenly and the intangible one of the hardest things. Christmas 2014 was a little easier for me to focus on what was important. This past Christmas – the junk mail, especially the retail propaganda, went straight to the trash. Problem not completely solved, but tragedy averted. Setting my mind is not only possible, it’s worth the effort. I celebrated the birth of Christ with heavenly expectations, and God delivered – without reindeer, a chimney, or snow.

Colossians 3:1-2 is worth committing to my memory. It’s my verse for the coming week.

I wrote the poem below in October of 2013. Writing it was just one way to set my mind in a different direction.

 

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A Devil’s Tool

 I’ve been caught by this tool of the devil,

And suppose that you might have been too.

It sneaks through our thoughts to our actions.

Then soon drives many things that we do.

As a sin, it gets little attention.

It can be really hard to ID,

But there’s evidence of its destruction,

In everyone’s family tree.

As children, we might have been scolded,

Without hearing this sin called by name.

Maybe that’s why there’s so much frustration,

When we want what another has gained.

Have you guessed which of the commandments?

Is it two, four, six, eight or ten?

Here’s a clue: This tool of the devil,

Makes us feel that we always must win.

We call it the big, green-eyed monster,

And preach without offering grace.

Yet, when we spend time with the mirror,

We see all the green on our face.

The haughty and proud deny envy,

But if they would only think twice.

Beyond their material possessions,

Would more skill or influence be nice?

You won’t hear me saying, “It’s easy.”

Instead, hear my cry, “Help me, Lord!”

I use up my time and my wages,

And then want what another has stored.

When we do harbor envy or covet,

It’s disguised rather well as a need.

Our fam’ly and friends might not see it.

But God knows our pride and our greed.

He says to us, “Thou shalt not covet.”

Not to punish, withhold or control.

For each of us personalized blessings,

More than needs, His abundance can flow.

Help us run from the good and the better,

And to chase after all of God’s best.

Then His goodness should pour out on others.

Not hoarded. Not owned as a quest.

Oh – The list could go on – what we covet.

Some take this sad sin to the grave.

Where they want for the peace and contentment

Of others, forgiven and saved.

The last of the Ten Commandments,

Should never be seen as the least.

When we fail to obey the nine others,

Could covetous be the true beast?

So I ask of the Lord to reveal it,

When He sees this sin in His way.

I can count on His tender reminder.

It’s something like this that I pray:

Now I lay me down to sleep.

I trust the Jones’ you will keep.

If all my stuff someone should take,

I’ll be content when I awake.

Thanks for your wise and clear commands.

Thanks for your strength and guiding hands.

Whatever circumstance I find,

Help me not want for what’s not mine.

Help me to pray this every day,

For envy has a sneaky way.

I pray your mercy on this fool.

Help me avoid this devilish tool.

 

Rita Klundt

October 2013