“What to Do with Junk Mail”

“What to Do with Junk Mail”

 

For years most of our mailboxes have been filled with unwanted ads, appeals, and “information” of questionable value. Modern technology has expanded the distribution of what we’ve come to call “junk mail” through telemarketing, robo calls, fax, and email. Depending on the method of transmission, waste baskets, caller ID, and delete buttons have gained a new lease on life and usefulness.

What do we do when all this stuff shows up? Toss it? Hang up? Zap it? I used to do all of the above, often with a fair amount of grumbling! Then a while ago I began thinking of the many ministries which send communications. Almost all of them are worthy of support but given the number of requests it’s impossible to contribute to each one. Then God told me that even if I couldn’t give I could pray. So now I pray for the needs mentioned before placing it in File 13 or the cyberspace equivalent.

But what about the notices about products and services seeking to separate us from our money? Galatians 6:10 provides some guidance: “…As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people….” What better thing could we do than pray for those who work for these firms? It’s God’s desire that “…Requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone…this pleases God…who wants all…to be saved….” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). By asking God to somehow show them they need Jesus (maybe by enclosing a tract with our order or thanks-but-no-thanks response) we may have the chance to be a part of their coming to Christ. Maybe this is God’s purpose in our receiving this “junk mail.”

So before emptying our email or filling our circular file let’s train ourselves to pray for the senders. That’s what to do with “junk mail.”

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan