More Idols

Whenever I read the account of how Rachel stole her father's idols and sat on them in a desperate attempt to hide them, I am tempted to ridicule her for her foolishness.

How could she hang on to those man-made deities when she knew the One True God?!?! It seems irrational...crazy even...trading in the glory of God for pitiful broken cisterns.

Yet, as we were shown by Gayline's blog, we all have our precious little idols, don't we? Those things that we cling to and long for when our taste for God's glory loses its savor. Just like Rachel, we pay homage to idols, different idols for every person, but ultimately one idol--SELF.

I was deeply moved by Gayline's willingness to share some of her idols in order that we might be encouraged and aided in our sanctification. Because we are all in different walks of life , I wanted to add the perspective of a young single.

Tuesday through Saturday
Routine (I know it is an idol when I get angry if something disrupts it--alarm clock goes off late, someone in the bathroom when I'm trying to get ready for work, traffic, get out of work late...)

Approval of Others (This is especially true at work. I know this is an idol when I find myself doing something because it will elevate me in my coworkers' eyes instead of doing all things "as unto the Lord." Many times it is a 'good work,' but my motivation is misplaced.)

Personal Appearance (Probably my most frequently served idol...the struggle is always there to want people's approval of my outward appearance rather than the meek and quiet spirit within. This is proven by the unbalanced emotional highs and lows that results from either compliments or put-downs about my appearance.

Sunday
Peace (This is an idol when I get angry if what I consider "peace" is disrupted--my sister puts on her music in the car, my sister doesn't "handle situations" for me so I can 'relax,' too many people on the roads make the commute to church longer and more stressful...

Personal Appearance (This is an idol when I am more worried over my appearance than whether my heart is worshiping the Lord or how I can serve others. Also, it can often lead to despair if I feel I don't look a certain way... moreso than my despair over my sin.)

Monday (My day off)
Rest (When I look forward to resting physically after a long week more than basking in extended time spent alone with the Lord.)

Personal Appearance (You had to know this idol would make an appearance. All of the already given reasons...plus a lot of free time to fixate on it make it an idol on my day off.


But for God's grace, truly, I would be consumed with my various idols and countless more. He is teaching me, through His Word and through the church, to relinquish my grasp on my idols and to make Him the Only God I serve.