Drug Store Romance

You wouldn’t normally associate a major drug store with romance, but every February, you find throngs of frantic men in line at Long’s Drug (CVS) with a fistful of already-wilting flowers, chocolates, and a hastily chosen card. I could almost guarantee that this was not their first choice, but it has somehow become the default ritual every February that many men undergo so that they aren’t “that guy” who forgot Valentine’s Day. You know what to get someone who already has everything? That’s right, a $9.99 dancing frog that moves to the tune of Elvis’ “Burning Love.” Many reason that something is better than nothing.

It is easy to fall into that rut. I don’t doubt that these men truly love their spouses, butexpressions like this lose their weight and meaning if they aren’t done out of obligation and not sincerity.

It reminds me of the way that many Christians fall into the rut of rote memory worship and prayer. Going through the motions of worship out of obligation or automation is not worship at all. Remember always to pause to soak in what an amazing God we serve.

Psalm 42:1-2 “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?”

Notice the desperation the Psalmist has when he anticipates entering into the presence of our living God. He thirsts after the Lord and cannot wait for the next opportunity to meet Him in His holy place. He does not worship out of obligation, but out of necessity for the survival and nourishment of his spirit.

My prayer for you today is that you look at the Lord in the same way that King David viewed Him. Remind yourself every day how awesome it is to be able to enter into His presence. Hunger and thirst after righteousness and you will find your worship and prayer

more filling than you have ever experienced before.