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The Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace made its debut in 2016 as a place for people to buy and sell within their local communities, everything from a car to a slice of pizza. Law Enforcement was quickly introduced to the dangers as robberies, homicides, and thefts were reported due to the marketing of "wares" on this site. Who would have thought that placing an advertisement for shoes could set you up for robbery? However, many a victim and officer could vouch for the sinister side of its existence. As bad as people may think the Marketplace is, it has also been used for good. I remember posting a huge picture from Ikea for sale on Marketplace and the blessing it provided to a kind family who could not have normally been able to afford the picture. My resale price was $80.00 less than the original. There were no flaws, marks, or tears and the family drove away increasingly happy which left me feeling blessed.

A Marketplace is described as an open space or an arena housing the world of trade.So one thought I have is what do we trade daily outside the Marketplace? Each call we respond to, each report we take, each life, each death, what are we trading? What are we buying and selling? What gets us through the day? Are we answering robbery calls, taking robbery reports, but robbing others from blessings? Are we waiting for a seller to advertise their "wares" because we are too tired of maintaining our own "goods" at home? Are we pushing a buyer to sell their wares because we nag at their goodness, and steal their security from their hearts? What are we selling on the outside? What are we "buying" on the inside?

Isaiah, a Jewish prophet, cries in Isaiah 33:2 "Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress." Our job is to respond to people's worst day. From a car wreck to a death notification, no one knows what distress is like us. We chase bank robbers, killers, and are taught to run in and fight active shooters. We watch our brothers and sisters fall daily around us and we know the possiblities too well. Isaiah 33:15-16 says "Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil - they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress."

I dont know about you, but I want that mountain fortress. I want to stop buying into all the "goods" I see posted on Marketplace and begin enjoying the open spaces God has given me that I sometimes take for granted. I want to walk through the Marketplace with all the unusual to beautiful products available, and say you know what, I am not for sale nor am I looking to buy. I am not trading my good every day for the evil that I face. Instead, like Isaiah 32:17 says, "The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever". How I long for His peace and confidence in my daily walk. He goes on to say in vs 18 "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest". I pray that we all find ourselves avoiding the Marketplace of ideals and instead enjoy the open spaces of contentment in Him. God bless

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