January 08 - Idols

This was the first day of week two, which means I did 2 push-ups, 2 sit-ups, and a 2 minute run. It was insanely cold today. I really did a 4 minute run, thanks to a camera malfunction. Oh well...extra credit.

When you hear the word "Idol" what comes to mind? Golden calves? Statues? Trophies? Or perhaps a highly popular TV show? Idols are anything from an object that we can touch and feel, to a thought or an idea. Idolatry is the worship of idols and putting something before God. Have you ever made a list of priorities? This is kinda what I think of when I think of idolatry.

I am guilty, just as much as any other person, when it comes to wasting time on silly worthless things. I like to play video games. Am I going to get anything for winning a championship in a basketball game on PS3? I like baseball. Will it really matter if my team wins the World Series? I drive my "dream car" (which is actually for sale if interested). Does it really matter what car I drive? No. No. And no. I cannot drive my car to heaven. The trophies that are won on earth won't make it past our graves. And before long PS3 will be just as obsolete as the NES. One thing holds true though, our Creator.

Isaiah 44:9-11

9 All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. 10 Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit him nothing? 11 He and his kind will be put to shame; craftsmen are nothing but men. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and infamy.

Some religions worship idols. They actually depend on a golden statue to save them from a burning hell. The Bible is very clear on idolatry though. In many instances we are told not to make idols and to retain from putting any other god before God. Am I saying that we as Americans should do away with TV, and baseball, and cars? No. The emphasis and time that we place on these things is what we should monitor though. Our God a) created everything we have in the world (including the gold that men make into idols) and b) deserves our time and attention. As Christians, we should have God at our number one spot on our priority list. Unfortunately, even after starting this blog, He still hasn't been in my number one spot. I am working on that though. Hopefully, He is at the top of your list. If not, my prayer is that we all can manage our time and energy more wisely. My goal is to resist time crunching idols that pry my attention away from things above. Minimizing TV time. Reducing video game play. Becoming less fanatical over sporting events, but yet still enjoying the things that God has blessed me with.

There is much more than what is here on earth...