Idol Power

1 John 5:21, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

I was sharing with a group last night about the transformation that took place in my life several years ago.  The transformation took place in a very subtle way and happened without me really knowing.  Evidence in the transformation taking place appeared in my thought processes and then in my actions.   I began to “intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle me,” (one of the promises from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous). 

In order to make a long story short; the reason for this transformation was/still is, because I try my best to have God at the center of everything I do.  Today I choose to rely on God as my power source.  And whether there is a God or not (for those of you still wondering and searching and maybe thinking I don’t know what I’m talking about in this blog forum) the simple act of me getting on my knees first thing in the morning, everyday, and in essence saying “I can’t, you can, I think I will let you,” places God at the center of my life instead of me and all my wants and desires.  This simple act gives me a peace nothing in the world (including lots of great drugs and alcohol) has ever given me.  🙂

The verse above says it all.  We need to guard ourselves from idols and an idol is anything or anybody that takes the place of God as our power source.  Placing your source of power in other people, places and things is just down right stupid when you have access to the maker of all things (including you) 24/7.  “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)

We get caught up in worshipping our possessions or other people and they will always let us down…eventually.  Remember, I write from experience.  As Americans it is like we are living in an “American Idol” state of mind.

Try replacing whatever has taken hold of your mind with God.  

If you worry alot, believe it or not whatever you are worrying about has become your idol.  If you covet what your neighbor has, believe it or not your neighbor’s possessions have become your idol.  Do you constantly need to buy or have things in order to make you feel good?  Then “things” have become your idol.  If you find yourself needing a certain person to pay special attention to you, then that person has become your idol.  If you find yourself spending an inordinate amount of time on the computer, then the computer has become your idol.  Do you drink too much, eat too much, spend too much, lust too much, drug too much…is there an addiction that has control of you?  Then it has become your idol.   Is the disease you or someone else is fighting at the center of your thoughts?  Then the disease has become your idol.  Is the death of a loved one at the center of your thoughts?  Then the death has become your idol.  Is your job at the center of your thoughts?  Then your job has become your idol.  Are you fixated on a resentment?  The resentment has become your idol.  Are you constantly comparing yourself to others?  Whatever you are comparing yourself to has become your idol.  Are you constantly beating yourself up for a past sin?  Then sin has become your idol.  Are you constantly “beating” someone else up…in your mind?  Then that someone else is your idol.  Oh, and I almost forgot, how many of us idolize our kids or our spouses or our boyfriends, girlfriends or friend-friends or a political party?  …not good as we are simply setting them up to fail us.

In essence, an idol is anything that separates you from the amazing transformational powers of God. 

Where are you getting your power from?  What is at your center?  Is God your idol or is your idol something that is certain to let you down?

Take some time to think about where your thoughts are today and those thoughts will lead you directly to your idol power.  Things of the world are simply “idle powers” seek the true Idol Power; seek God first in everything you do.

P.E.A.C.E.

jay@eaglelaunch.com