That One Thing – Tearing Down Idols
What is that ONE thing that you are constantly seeking after, to make you happy?
What is that one thing that often consumes your mind? That one thing that you more often than not, think about? That one thing that maybe has even become an idol?
We all have that one thing (or maybe even two) that gets in the way of our relationship with God. That one thing that we become obsessive about. It is easy to think “pssh, not ME…I don’t obsess over anything!”
I am going to be frank and say “yes you do.”
My “idols” may not be physical items (I am not a big spender nor do I hold my possessions with high value), but my idols are in the form of worry and self-image. The worry idol used to be large and in charge, but that one has slowly been crumbling, and it’s about time! When we first were married, I used to worry often about what others thought. I was a people pleaser (still am to some extent), and I could easily run myself ragged, trying to please others, just to feel good about myself. Like I was accomplishing something. Worry then turned towards our future. I worried and stressed about kids. The questions about when we were going to have kids, the desire to have them, yet not having a solution, caused just a tad bit of worry (to say the least). I wanted to be able to give an answer, yet I had none. I wanted everything figured out, but God knew it was best for me to NOT reveal His plan to us at that time. If He did, my faith would not be where it is today. And for that very reason, my worry idol continues to crumble. God has challenged my faith in ways I never expected, yet I am thankful for each of those challenges, as that idol has now been replaced with God’s grace, love, and mercy.
And then there is self-image. The other day I was reading Psalm 139 and the phrase that has become second nature for us to say is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” I reread that part and asked myself “do I REALLY believe that?” We often don’t want to admit it, but we think about our appearance I bet more than we think! I know I do! Honestly? Having Mazy has been one the best things for me because it has caused me to not care as much about what I look like. I don’t mean that in a lazy, not-take-care-of-my-body way, but in a “not think about myself so much” kind of way. Getting ready in the morning means hussling before the baby wakes up. It may mean a ponytail and glasses, or it may mean a few extra steps of mascara and eye shadow. That is just reason 1,001 why Mazy has been such a positive life-changer for me. God has used her to teach me to care about things that are truly important. Yes, I think it is good to feel good about yourself. I feel better when I can throw on a coat of mascara. But after I put it on, I am not thinking about what else I need to constantly be doing to look beautiful.
What I care more about is BEING healthy and that is what I think God cares more about anyways. Going on walks, making sure I take care of this body that God has fearfully and wonderfully made. He has given me all the tools I need in order to that – I don’t need the latest fashions (though I’d like to think that is the case sometimes). Yet I don’t want to believe those lies. I want to continually tear down the idol of worrying about my self-image and care more about the heart of the matter – my spiritual heart and even my physical heart for that matter!
Idols are so easy to hold onto. Some days are better than others.What do you have to let crumble, in order to let God fill you up even more? He desires to do so, but we just have to let Him. Much easier said than done, right?
