Immanuel in the Mall

Jesus is also known as 'Imannuel' or "God with us." We know this to be true and we believe it in our hearts with a deep and abiding passion. So far so good... but let's move this thought from the idea phase and bring it to the nitty gritty of life and do some practical applications...

For instance, let's take a walk around the mall and see if we can find some answers. If we belive that Jesus is Immanuel, then, obviously, going by that definition, He will be with us as we walk around the mall.

Now what do you think His response would be to what he sees there...

Will He admire the fancy designer labels that were, most probably, made in a sweat shop in some Asian country?

Will He approve of the huge posters advertising different products in language that appears to border on pandering to latent covetousness?

Will He think highly of the fashion shops that appear to promote an impossible idea of beauty and in the process inducing young girls to suffer from anorexia and bulimia?

Will He be delighted to see men and women trying to attract each other by turning themselves into sexy objects and not focusing on their innate personalities?

Will He be happy to see underpaid shop attendants struggling to make a living while trying to be friendly with their customers?

Will He notice the cleaners and parking attendants whose existence no one cares about?

Will He be pleased to know that the malls have put to death many pop-and-mom stores, small retail outlets and old shopping districts?

Will He sense the emptiness in people's hearts as they try and fill it with purchases that eat into their credit card balance?

Will we follow Him as He leaves the mall?