My denomination doesn’t practice Lent, but I like to observe it each year because I feel like it helps refocus my attention on Christ during the Easter season. This year, I gave up social media. To put it frankly, IT WAS HARD. I knew I was “a bit addicted,” but giving it up for 40 days made me realize it was more than that. I had allowed social media to become an idol. When I woke up in the morning and grabbed my phone, it was the first thing I checked. I needed a complete detox.
But more importantly, I had to repent of my idolatry, which is a sin I never thought I would have to address. Let’s face it, I don’t have a golden calf in my living room, so I thought the 2nd commandment was an easy one to avoid. But here I am, 40 days later, realizing I was giving way too much time to an idol. There is a lot I could say about that previous statement and really pick apart the idea that we all have idols in our lives, but that wasn’t my biggest takeaway. My biggest conclusion after Lent was the REASON God doesn’t want us to place an idol before Him.
- We are HIS Children
1 John 3:1: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
Have you ever watched a baby fuss because he wants his mom? Someone else is trying their hardest to comfort him, but it can’t be done because there is comfort that only a parent can give. God is our Father, and only He can fill the longing in our hearts. Other idols may distract us and be entertaining at times, but ultimately, they are no good for us because we are designed to love and be loved by God.
- God Doesn’t Want Us Striving Against Each Other
Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
The sad reality is that idols often are created out of competition and selfish ambition. We want to be better, do better, show better. Our Facebook pages have pictures of our happy families and nothing else. Idols often reflect our own self-interest and do nothing for the Kingdom. In fact, they put us in direct competition with each other. Striving leaves us relying on our imperfect selves for fulfillment that only God can give us. Ultimately, it will lead to comparison that robs us of joy and peace.
- God Wants Us to Trust in Him
Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The Israelites built idols because they grew impatient waiting on Moses to return from Mount Sinai, and they were fearful that he might not return. They needed to feel in control, so they built an idol. We often use idols to control things as well. Facebook may control how we are perceived. A gym may help us control how we look. But chasing after perfection in an imperfect world is not what we are made for. It will exhaust us. Only when we trust in the Lord and quit chasing what we think will make us happy will we find peace that is everlasting. When we stop making idols, we will experience rest that is better than we could ever imagine.
Father God,
Help us to not put anyone or anything before You. Lord, guide our life to the service of others and for the work of Your Kingdom. Help us to not strive with selfish ambition, but to greet each day as a chance to live for others. Thank You for loving us so well.
Amen
Andra Pape – Director of Ministry
