Our Hidden Idols

We've been talking about the story of Gideon at church lately. Recently I started incorporating it into my reading at home. I love the story of Gideon! I believe I got that (and my love of coffee) from my sweet dad. When I read  through the story of Gideon the other day I decided to back up a little bit and get some of the back story. I started in Judges chapter two and scanned my way to chapter 6 where we find Gideon's story begin.

I'm always struck by how the Israelite people can so quickly forget all the many things God has done for them. They continually spit in His face by putting idols before Him. They are ungrateful so quickly after God rescues them over and over again. You would thing they would learn something from this seemingly unending cycle!
It is at this point I realize how much of a hypocrite I am. That usually follows all the condemning I like to dole out on ole Israel. To quote Romans 2:1 "Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same thing." Ouch. That gives no room for escape.
What idols do I set before Him on my list of importance? How many times a DAY do I forget the mercy He shows me constantly? How often do I cheapen His name by not doing the hard thing by standing up for it?

This really challenged me to dig deep and see the ugly truth. To see what I was putting before Him. What idols I had set up as more important than He. To find out what things I had been putting before Him in my affections. And then, like He always does, He takes me back and showers me with mercy. How wonderful it feels to have Him in His rightful place in my affections, praise, and glory! It sets all things right. It is something we have to continually do. A continuing heart check. Because we are humans. Sinful humans whom our Father shows grace, love, and endless mercy.

It can be any number of things, even good things, that we put before Him. I'm not going to make a list and try and guilt you into discovering the idols in your life. I'll leave that up to our heavenly Father. I simply ask that you ask Him to reveal what they are. Be free from those things that could be holding you down! And live in the freedom of true worship and relationship with our heavenly Father!

A lot of times I want to give myself some slack because "I didn't purposefully make an idol" out of something and intentionally worship it more that God. That fact does not matter what so ever. Not in the least. It is a poor excuse for allowing something to steal away our affections from the One who most deserves them.
The definition of worship is; "Reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred."
The definition of sacred is; "Devoted or dedicated to deity or to some religious purpose; consecrated."
For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
We have no excuse. We, as children of God, have been given a first hand look at what mercy is. We have been loved beyond what we though possible. We have been forgiven the unforgivable.

So restore that rightful place of worship, honor, glory, sacred, worthy, to the One who deserves it most. And watch as He allows it to overflow into ever facet of your life. Go worship the Father! Go live the life He has designed for you! And remember, He loves you! He deserves your praise and thanks.

God bless!  

The Story

Who do you view yourself to be? What makes up your identity? (roles, relationships, family, abilities, talents, occupation?) Make a list.

This was the set of questions staring at me from the page of a study guide called "The Gospel Primer" we are going through in my small group. My answer was written with tears and a much longer answer than I had anticipated. But my pen just wouldn't stop writing and the words would not stop coming. Tears streamed down my face and God broke through a wall I didn't even realize was there. Here was my answer:

I'd love to be able to say I view myself to be God's loved child, beautiful and blameless. But in truth I'm starting to realize how much my identity is wrapped up in almost all the things listed. Horses were my thing. I was the daughter of my parents. I was good with horses, it was my talent, I showed horses, I was around that crowd. I had Nathan. I had someone. I was in a relationship. 

Now I feel like I'm not quit sure who I am. I'm away from my family, my horses, my friends. I've been totally uprooted. I've been removed from everything familiar in my life for the first time. Where everything is the opposite of what it was. I no longer have my family near to rely on. I'm no longer surrounded by friends that really know me and are always willing to be there and encourage me. I no longer have my horses to occupy my time and take away my stress. I don't live in a small town in the country. I live in an apartment three stories from the ground. I can no longer walk for miles and still be on my own land. I can't just go watch my beloved sunsets. My sunsets where I felt close to God. Where such handy work was so beautifully displayed. I can't go cry to my cat or puppy and have them look and me understandingly. 

I have been given the chance to really find out who I am. I'm starting something brand new. Free of the identity I've hid behind for so long. I was forced to drop that. I can't hold onto that anymore. I've got to move forward and find out just who I am in Christ.

These questions wrecked me a little bit today. Ok, a lot. No wonder I struggle with believing what God says about me. No wonder the identity the bible tells is mine doesn't look familiar. I'm so wrapped up in an identity that is surface level. That is only flesh deep. 

It took getting married, moving 180 miles away from what had been home for 21 years, my family, my best friends, my church family, my horses, my many other animals, and my way of living, to realize it. 

So let me introduce myself. Hi, my name is child of God. I am the bride of Christ. I am loved beyond what I am able to comprehend right now. But soon that will change. Because this is not my home, really. My home is being prepared for me right now by my Groom. He doesn't know when He's coming to get me, but thats ok because I don't know the exact time either. I know it's soon though. I'm beautiful, clean, pure, and righteous in my Father's eyes. My Groom is responsible for that. He took all my sins on Himself to save me. He endured unimaginable wrath and shame on my part even though He didn't deserve it. But because He loves me and for His glory. So while I live here I'm going to show just how much He loves and can save to those around me. Because of what Jesus, my Groom, has done for me I want to serve Him to the fullest! And I believe that involves knowing exactly who I am. 

Now, let me ask you, who do you view yourself to be? What makes up your identity? (roles, relationships, family, abilities, talents, occupation?) Make a list.