Why Idols?

This was the question of the day: Where did Aaron get the gold to make the calf? Well we all know the children of Israel gladly gave up all their golden earrings, bracelets, and necklaces so Aaron could use them to make them an idol to worship. What I never considered was where they got all that gold. But when you go back to Exodus 12:35-36 you quickly find out. From the Egyptians yes, but it was God who moved upon them to give it to them. That's right, it was a gift from God to His children! The Israelites turned God's gifts into gods! That statement just floored me! Wow, don't we do just that with the gifts He gives us?! Same gold, different function. Think about that a minute.

A. W. Tozer in the Pursuit of God said it this way: "Sin has introduced complications and has made those very gifts of God a potential source of ruin to the soul."

Why Idols?

Have you ever asked yourself, "Am I living my life through my child?" maybe even a career, friend, spouse, or my ministry?

As we take a closer look at Sarah's life, we find her desperately longing for a child. The child God promised her. Her faith had been challenged and she was coming up empty. That's when she decided it was time to help God out. (ever found yourself there?) She gave her maidservant to Abraham, and this is the statement she made: "Perhaps I can build a family through her." Another way to say that is, "Perhaps I can build a life through her." Sarah was looking to an Egyptian slave girl to save her life. She was depending on someone else to define her. What did that get her? A lot of strife that is still going on to this day! God's plan, His way, was so much better. If she had just waited...

How easy it is for us to place those precious things in our life to a status they never should have. We easily make them our functional idols. All because we lose faith in God to make our life stand on it's own, in His timing.

How does Sarah's story encourage you to wait for God's perfect timing and fulfillment in your own life?

IDOLS?

How many of us struggle with our identity at some point during out lives? I know I sure have. Seems I went from being David's girlfriend in school, to Landon, Kylah, & Matthew's mama. Most of the time when I meet people from the past, it's "Hey, you're David Henry's wife," most common is the 'pastor's wife.' There are times, just being honest here, over the years I just wanted to scream out, "I HAVE A NAME!" Seems at times we are always trying to find ourselves, when who God planned for us to be is right in front of us all along. It's those very identities, though precious, we might find ourselves resenting, that God uses to glorify Him the most.

As we looked at the Israelites making their demands for a king, so they could be like the other nations and have an identity, I mused over the statement made in the study of how the Israelites already had an identity, an amazing one at that. They were the chosen people of God! But as they began to forsake God and follow other gods, they lost sight of what they had and, most important, who they were.

Why are we never happy with who we are or the blessings He has given us. We too are chosen. Chosen to carry God's love to a hurting world. Yet it is so easy for us to lose sight of who we are. The more we allow the enemy to rob us of our identity in Christ, the more we become like everyone else instead of being set apart to an extraordinary purpose, a marvelous end. I too would love it said of my life: The goodness of Jesus Christ burned so brightly in her that people glorified God; she almost seemed from another world!

Oh, and don't you know God does care even when we feel like we have melted into the fabrics of our lives. He sends a gentle reminder of how He sees and knows who we are...

At a reunion we attended a few weekends ago, I met up with someone I didn't even remember from school. the thing that made me wink at God when she walked away was the thing she said that made me giggle just a bit:

"I think we went to school together. We graduated together but my class was a year behind you."
"Yes we graduated in '77."
"We?"
"David and I."
"David who?"
"David Henry."
"Hmmm, I don't guess I remember him, but I remember you."

I have to admit, it did put a smile on my face. Thanks, God, for the reminder. You know my name!

NO OTHER GODS

Tonight started the beginning of the first Bible study of the season NO OTHER GODS by Kelly Minter. It will run 8 weeks. We had 20 ladies meet tonight at my house and after a great meal and a ton of conversation and getting acquainted, we settled down in three different small groups to discuss the first week.

I believe this week really challenged us about what we put before God and our devotion to Him. It's not always the obvious. Sometimes it is even the 'good thing'. We can get so involved in even our good deeds, and places and people we minister to on a daily basis and neglect to talk to God, listen for His voice, give Him glory and praise.

Where is your heart's devotion? One of the main points Kelly made was how we can make things, places, careers, ministries, or people our idols. Another term would be false gods, but the one she used that made it so clear to me was "functional gods". In that place that you function everyday, do you find yourself focusing your attention more than any other area of your life? Is it spiritually healthy? Is God a big part of it or have you forgotten to include Him in the process?
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Nothing should ever detour our attention away from Him. Not even our ministry.

If you are involved in this study, please take a few moments and comment here and share something that has spoken to your heart from the daily studies. Your insight may just be what someone needs. We would love to hear what the Holy Spirit is revealing to you.

Keep your heart open...

DeLana