“Idols”

January 31, 2011 by admin.

We’ve had a lot of ‘down time’ from our evangelism ministry since November of 2010 and I’ve noticed that being idle, if I am not careful, can create some idols. An idol by definition is something that is made into a god or something worshipped. You say that you don’t bow down to anything other than the Lord Jesus. I say that too. Yet, I have noticed that the more time for pleasure I have, the more I want. I have noticed that the more free time I have, I become tense and feel the need for control. I already have to watch myself against paranoia and the ‘blues’, but Seasonal Affective Disorder creeps in through my frosty windows with the cold air. The black and white winter wonderland doesn’t beckon me to smile at the red bird on the phone wire. Instead, it makes me wonder how in the world his little feet can be so warm when I’m sitting inside in house slippers and socks - wishing for a something (else)hot to drink! Something that isn’t loaded with empty calories!

The more I worry about my children (actually my sons-in-law-to-be) out there driving on the slick roads, the more I long for warm weather and sunshine. A friend of mine has a little five year old girl who wrote her autobiography just last week. I loved it! She wrote that her life was colorless and ‘ruly’ (full of rules. J Guess she was having a bad day?) I could completely understand the first statement, and I guess I’ve gotten used to the last one in my old age. I secretly embrace rules and organization at times, actually.

Last night the Holy Spirit talked to me about these things, reminding me that He gave me the mind that I have to even think the thoughts I was thinking, and I was breathing HIS (cold) air - thank you very much. I repented of my bad attitude (as well as I could). How could I not?! I told God -one more time- that he was my one and only, and I would not worship at the feet of ‘me’ to the best of my ability when the sun came up in the morning. I don’t know if I’ve done all that great, but I have tried not to complain so much. God knows what He is doing, and he has a plan for me to glorify Him in some way. How can I glorify God if I’m worshipping someone else? Namely myself and the gods I have made out of time, money, comfort, safety, security, rules and organization.

Not only does his plan include his glory, but also my good! I am in essence robbing my own self of his goodness to me when I hoard up and worship the things that aren’t mine to start with. All those things I mentioned are GIFTS from God and only from Him can I obtain happiness and joy through them.

I prayed that the Lord would let me see the red in the bird on the wire and the blue in the eyes of a child. (What a blessing to be able to see.) I prayed for Him to let me know the joy of buying someone else a gift with the money he’s given me instead of worrying over bills. (What a blessing to have friends!) The coldness upon my flesh will soon be forgotten. (What a blessing to be able to feel my legs.) The grayness of the winter will bloom into the flowers of spring. (What a blessing to know that God has new things for us!) The smell of the roses and buds of the trees will be all the more sweet when the warm air blows.(What a blessing to have a sense of smell.) When the sunshine melts the frost on my window panes, and I can again raise them high, the sound of the birds will ring. (What a blessing to be able to hear!) I must thank God for the cold, gray days because without them, these warm, colorful days would be taken for granted.

The day is almost over. It’s supposed to snow in the morning, I’ve been told. The winter will come to pass as do all the other seasons. I certainly hope the old temptations to worship the gods of selfishness don’t bring to bare the fruits of unrighteousness- again. I prayed for some way to worship Him and glorify Him because He is worthy. I prayed to enjoy the time I have with my family (and my sons-in-law-to-be) when we are together, (What a blessing to have hope for the future!) and put them in God’s hands when we are apart. What a blessing that I can trust Him!! ‘He’s the keeper of my soul since I gave him full control - Praise the Lord! I’m (still) on the winning, side!

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