Idols

Idols of the heart- anything in my life that occupies the place that should be occupied by God alone; anything that holds such a place in my life that I give my time, attention, energy, etc. effortlessly.

Idols. We all have them, whether we like to admit it or not. Some may be hidden away from the public eye…something only that the deep crevices of our heart knows. Or it may be a very public idol and very apparent to those around. Whether big or small, public or private, seemingly heavy or ‘not so bad’…they are idols. ‘You shall have no other gods before me.’ How often my heart has said…”But God, I’m not making ____ my god/idol. I’m not making pleasing people my idol. I’m not allowing social media to become my idol. I’m not letting school work become my idol…how can school work be bad?” These individual things by themselves are not ‘bad’ but when they become my obsession, my focus, my continual thoughts-they become my idol.

“People resemble what they revere, whether for restoration or ruin.” G.K. Beale

So often I have looked at my idols and thought, well they’re not that bad. I’m still doing okay in God’s eyes for the most part. I can still hold them close without completely bringing myself to ruin. Oh how quickly my wandering heart can lead me astray. Why do I ignore the command to repent? Repent. Not have self-pity…not wallow in the consequences of my sin. No. Hating the sin. Identifying it. Naming it. Replacing it.

This weekend my pastor talked about four different ‘source’ idols. These source idols are what every other idol in our lives stems from: approval, comfort, control and power. I struggle with all of them from time to time, but the approval source idol is the continual thorn in my flesh. Approval idolatry seeks approval, love, relationship and affirmation. It’s biggest fear is rejection. As I was sitting there listening to him list these things off, tears filled my eyes. Every day, I seek the approval of people. Will they like me? Is my hair/outfit okay? Do people think I’m fun? Will my family and friends approve of my decisions? Will I succeed after I graduate? Do people think I’m ______? And on and on and on…every. single. day. It stays with me like a load on my shoulders. And for years of my life I have excused it away…treated it like a personality type. Idols are not personality types, my friends. They cannot be written off…’well, that’s just the way I am.’

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”-mark 1:!5

Repent. Repentance. Why is it so hard? Because it requires SACRIFICE. It goes against everything this world says I should have. It requires me to take my comfort…my approval idol and lay it down at the cross. I can take it to the cross and at the cross gain the approval of the only One who matters- my Savior. I know, friends, that this source idol doesn’t just ‘go away’. In fact I’m not dense enough to believe that I won’t struggle with it the rest of my life. But, day after day instead of waking up believing the lies of the world around me and seeking the approval of mere man, I have to CHOOSE to lay it down before the cross. Choose the truth. Run towards the reality of the Gospel.

So friends. What is your source idol? Join me at the cross- a source of approval, comfort, peace and power…the very power of God!

Whatever is of most worth in your life will always shape what you worship.

-sidenote: I highly suggest listening to pastor joel lindsey’s sermon from 10/16. graceinracine.com

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