Shoppers provide a reason for hope

The above title was the lead article in the Saturday World Herald. It had a picture of people running into Nebraska Furniture Mart as if this was a major sprint. I was struck by the title of the article and the implications that it implied. Somehow all of our hope is based on what happens with the glut of spending that occurs on Black Friday. I am not against people trying to find ways of saving money or for retailers to make a profit. What concerns me if the reinforcement of excessive spending that created the economic problems that we face today. It was on page three of the newspaper that reported that in New York an employee of Walmart was trampled to death by people breaking into the store. Several other employees were hurt and one lady who was pregnant was likewise trampled that not seriously hurt. Tell me again what is the hope that is in this act. The people became upset that they could not continue to shop after they murdered someone.
I remember reading about pilgrims in other countries that are going to their holy shrines. Sometimes they get excited and trample people often killing some who fall. I would think about that mob psychology and wonder about their faith and compassion for others. Black Friday seems to have recently taken on a similar issue where people are only concerned about themselves and are worshipping the early morning sales. We may have to give employees hazardous pay for risking their lives on this Friday.
I realize that what happened in New York does not happen here. Though one shopper who was interviewed stated that the only reason he was here was for the sale items. Maybe one idea would be to offer products at reasonable prices and have a large number of them on hand so that there is not this stampede to get what one wants.
The other concern I have is that this is a time that we need to remember our hope does not rest in the latest bargain, the cheapest price, the newest gadget but rests in God. What we have or don't have pales in comparison to remembering what God has done for us in coming to us in Jesus Christ. Should not our hope rest in our savior. Could our hope not rest in sharing with others. I hope that the retailers are able to continue to make enough money to offer their services, but I tell you that my hope and I believe our nation's hope rest not on Black Friday but on Easter Sunday.