Vending machines are designed to give us instant gratification with little payment, but we won’t find satisfaction in the darkness of the vending machine.

Vending machines provide a wide selection of food or products that entice us to purchase what they offer. In return, we receive instant gratification. They are a wonderful invention that can bring happiness in whatever season of life we find ourselves. The best part is that we don’t have to have an emotional, physical, or spiritual attachment to them. Using them is a “Love you now; leave you until I need you again” relationship.

This is acceptable for our experience with vending machines because they are temporal products—machines—of the natural realm. But contrast them to our relationship with Jesus Christ. When we exchange our citizenship from the worldly to the spiritual and become followers of Christ, we must commit to Him and holiness.

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them … But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

~Ephesians 3:11, 13-14 ESV

As a believer, we must choose to live in the light. Living in darkness provides a way for our emotional, physical, and spiritual mindsets to use God as a vending machine and leave Him until we need Him again.  

Because the light of God will expose what is truly in our hearts, we must allow Him to cleanse us from the danger of selfish motivation. Luke 6:45 ESV reads, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” 

I might fool everyone with my actions and words, but God already knows my true intentions. This is why using God as a vending machine will never get us what we need. Vending machines only give us what we want. God gives us what we need.

When we face challenging situations and attempt to fix things through the vending machine method, God can create a clean heart and renew a right spirit in us. The Lord will hear and answer our prayers for holiness. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

~Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

We can be satisfied with what we have. God said, “I will never leave you, and I will never forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

God waits for us to surrender everything to Him, including our life’s ambitions. Eventually, the vending machine will malfunction or break down, but God will always be there for us. 

Share three words that exemplify your relationship with God.

Heavenly Father, thank You for helping me prioritize my relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Copyright 2019: In the Darkness of the Vending Machine: Author Ed Chappelle: All Rights Reserved