It is so very interesting...

when you watch the news today...they are recapping the Thanksgiving day with interviews from different individuals..."a time spent being thankful for all our family and friends and the things we have". 
The next story begins with cameras zooming in on people that are pushing their way through the doors at various stores reaching, scowling, grabbing, yelling with wild abandon so they can get the best deal...first.  Thanksgiving and Black/Blue Friday...couldn't be more opposite in the whole scheme of things!  But why would satan want us to continue with a grateful spirit?  That isn't part of his plan...and he is able to use Christians very effectively!  What a picture of the sad state of our sinful...selfish...unsurrendered hearts!  We put on the good show yesterday...all the while planning for how we can get more for ourselves...before anyone else can get it!  Yep, satan has this world's system right where he wants it...did you look through the ads in yesterday's paper?  I did!  There are some good deals...but at what cost?!
How about another story?  Yesterday morning, we heard sirens...lots of sirens.  We heard a newsclip about a house not far from us that had caught fire.  On the way to Grandma and Papa's, we drove down the street...the house was a total loss.  We don't know how it started...but we know the family got out safely! 
I wonder...if we could sit down and talk with them today...what would they say?  What is important to them?  Did Thanksgiving 2009 change what is important to them?  I know it impacted me as we drove by the blackened remains of a place that someone called home...they lost their things...but they didn't lose their lives.  I wonder...were they more worried about the cost of the things that were burning inside...or were they more worried about counting to see if all their family members were out.
"What's the worth of this whole world...when compared to one lost soul...there's a reason to count the cost!" 
The reason for this season...Jesus came as a baby...to live...then die on a cross for the sins of the world...He counted the cost...and He paid it...willingly.  He gave His life...He wasn't on earth hoarding up material possessions.  He gave His time in service and teaching and healing...
What a thought!
It is so very interesting to me that we insist on focusing on the things that don't matter...and render us ineffective in our testimony to others.  Christians...people are watching you...and sometimes...you won't even know it!  What is it costing you eternally?