Fighting: Idols--Unsatisfying

Fighting: Idols—Unsatisfying

Idols. Another favorite subject for us all. Growing up, I thought of idols as those scary, crazy gods worshipped by pagans. I thought of idols like Baal in the Bible or any of the other numerous ones introduced to Israel by foreigners.

Now, I’ve come to realize, of course, a more basic definition is: anything that takes the forefront of your mind, attention, sometimes affections, daily actions, sometimes beliefs and viewpoints. And indeed that can be a foreign, false god. Or it can be more seemingly harmless things that creep into our lives without it being obviously detrimental. Job, relationships (all inclusive), money, image and appearance, success, personal items and things, media and all its influences, etc…. Even activities. Even personal ministries.

My idols are always changing. When I think I get rid of one or two, I pick up some more without realizing it. It’s a human cycle that we are always struggling to fight even in wisest of us. It is the struggle to let our minds drift to cling onto tangible, visible things or our own goals, what may start out as a genuinely good, valuable work can take over as an idol, getting in the way of God and His rightful place as your foremost thought and value in life, your foremost affection.  

There are countless reasons why only God should stand in front of everything, have that powerful position in your life. All are laid out across the Bible.

Perhaps the core ones that mean the most to me right now and reinforce my focus are these:

 Dependability. Everything can fall apart. You may rest on one thing, but nothing will remain dependable until the end like God. This is proclaimed by so many in the Bible. Ps. 62:6, a famous verse, “He only is my rock and salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.”

Wisdom. “With Him are wisdom and might; to Him belong counsel and understanding.” Job 12:13. There are foolish things out there to be idolized, and even wise, discerning things…but wisdom ultimately comes from God. And anything other than God will eventually run out of wisdom and understanding.

Intimacy. Not only does He know every part of you, past, present and future, He wants to be close to you, to commune with you. Not only does He know every fiber of your potential and glory He created in you, He is by your side the most, sees all that you suffer, all your joys, all that you wish sometimes others could see and understand.

Love. Wow. Just that. He is Love. He created it, he gives it, he knows it better than anyone, he knows the truth of love and not the definition of it juggled around by many humans across time. He gives it in the most all-powerful, eternal, yet tenderly gentle way. Anyone who knows it could write endlessly about it.

The most recent one today that God spoke to me about was satisfaction. Once I comprehended that simple statement, I felt stupid for not grasping that.

“He will always provide for your needs and satisfy your soul beyond all you could ask or imagine.”

I read that and it filled me up in that wonderful way when you realize more of God’s glory. Nothing will satisfy me like God can. The marvelous thing more was the phrasing of that statement. It not only says that you will be satisfied, but there is the capacity to be satisfied even further than how much you believe you need to be satisfied.

Satisfaction is a perfect combination to along with that “peace that passes all understanding” and untouchable joy that I’ve grown in. That carries me through the worst and the best. That makes each day, mundane or wonderful, stressed or relaxed (preferably the latter) a joy, a miracle, a blessing. I am satisfied because of God. Because how He teaches me to be at peace, to have joy, to be satisfied in Him or whatever He gives me. Because He gives me something every day. Even if it’s just waking up to a bird singing outside my window (in a noisy, sketchy, chaotic, city neighborhood). That bird is God’s creation, so small and yet untouched by any of this environment. Beautiful, reminding me that I have another day blessed to me by God to expect more joys from Him, more understanding to be learned from Him, and it’s with song, something my musician’s heart loves most. He knows this. He knows just what touches me.

And so, in the midst of my distractions with idols. I have simple statements I apply.

_______ can never give me the ______ I seek. (or take away the _______ I have.)

Some I have my heart on and have stated to myself sometimes over and over again:

_______ can never give me the love and devotion I seek or take away all the loneliness I have. (this all encompasses my need for many things not just company or care but affirmation, approval, etc…)

______ can never give me success that I seek because if it’s of my own human efforts alone I will fail.

Sleep/TV time/restful activities can never give me all the rest and peace I need. Only God has the power to restore me mentally, emotionally and physically in a 100% capacity not in a 45% capacity or just for the day…and He can do it even in a second.