Welcome to God's General Store!

“Our glorious Lord is to us a place of heavenly merchandise.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Have you ever thought about what career path you might have pursued had you not followed the one you are currently on? I know I have.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am absolutely thrilled that God led me to dedicate my life to full-time ministry, combining my love for Jesus and my love for sports to share the gospel with hundreds of thousands of inmates and at-risk youth over the past 38 years. And yes, I also love writing devotional messages like this one and pastoring a small church where I get to study and proclaim God’s truth every week.

But if God hadn’t granted me those privileges, how would I have liked to have spent my life? Well, I’m glad you asked!

Part of me would have enjoyed serving in public office, which is why I ran for Congress twice and the Florida state house once. Obviously, God had other (and better) plans. I also think I would have liked to have taught history or to have worked in a museum, a national park, or a theme park. And yes, since I went to college to study Sports Administration, working in the front office of a professional sports franchise would have been pretty cool… and some people have told me that I would have made a good journalist, too.

But do you know what other job appeals to me? Running an old-fashioned general store with lots of antiques. For whatever reason, I love the idea of stocking shelves with basic necessities as well as hard-to-find items for local customers who would come into my little store to shop and chat. Of course, I would have penny candy for the kids as well as a soda fountain with ice cream in lots of different flavors. And yes, there would be a pot belly stove right in the middle of the store to warm my customers up on a chilly morning.

The point that Charles Spurgeon is making in today’s quote is that, as our Heavenly Father, God offers a wide range of “heavenly merchandise”. There is food for our body and food for our soul as well as shelves stocked full of peace, joy, contentment, and blessing. And, of course, everyone who asks receives forgiveness (I John 1:9) and eternal life (John 3:16)… on the house!

Yes, God isn’t looking to make a profit at His general store. On the contrary, He is giving everything away for free, just for the asking.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!” Isaiah 55:1 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President