9-23-2017

Good Morning All,

          Exodus 20:4; “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”

    They have many names; talismans, house gods, fertility gods, graven images, totems and many more.  We often just call them idols.  The simplest definition of an idol is to call it a “false god.”  It is often times a carved representation of a creature, either real or imagined, that is believed to have powers that can affect the lives of humans.  In many cultures, the blood of lions, or bears, or eagles, or whales, or other powerful creatures was considered to have magical or mystical powers.  Even plants were given special places of reverence.  There was a time when every living thing was believed to be a spirit capable of influencing and affecting human life.  People would watch and study the animals to see if they acted in a specific manner.  These actions were interpreted to mean good or ill was on the way.

    As humans grew in knowledge and understanding, they changed their view somewhat.  They still watched and studied animals but more as predictors or indicators of events.  When the geese fly south, winter is on the way.  Fish spawn in the spring and the like. 

     Most of us read this with a smile and a nodding indifference to idols.  After all, we don’t line our windows with carved cows, dogs or bears.  We don’t have a totem in the backyard.  We don’t have idols and if we do they are things out there that are acceptable to want unless you go too far.  It is ok to desire money, to want to be popular, to view others as highly successful and thus ones to emulate; just don’t overdo it.  Who doesn’t want to be like a great baseball, football, basketball, volleyball star?  Who wouldn’t want the life of a movie star or a billionaire?  These “idols”, though problematic are “out there” and can be dealt with and isolated.

    Yet for all of us, the greatest idol we battle is not “out there” but “in here.”  Our greatest idol is our own heart.  It is our selfish, sinful heart that leads to our destruction.  It is our sinful heart that leads us to turn from our neighbor in need and from our God in majesty.  It is our heart that we worship the most.  It is our own selfishness that leads us to worship our biggest idol and that is our own self.

    So as we consider this commandment of God, let us consider that our biggest challenge is not idolatry that is “out there” but it is the idolatry that is “in here” in my heart.  We are all susceptible to it; we are all hurt by it but we are all forgiven.  We are forgiven by the true God whose love for us gives us the strength to see past our selfishness and to see the love which he has for us; a love that never ends.

Father of all mercy, too often I fail to see the true idol in my life.  Give me the strength to stand up to the lies I tell myself and to change my heart.  Help me to see see that living in your kingdom provides for me all that I need and truly want.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret