Daily Delight
Idols are bad. We know this. We’ve heard it preached all our lives. Yet, for some reason, it has remained a very nebulous concept for me.We shouldn't worship idols--I don't have little statues in my bedroom.We shouldn’t pray to other gods--I only pray to the Trinity.We shouldn’t idolize money--I don’t have dollar bills framed on my wall.Is this really supposed to apply?If you were to ask if I had any idols in my life, I would say maybe it’s my desire to be in a relationship. That, perhaps I spend more time thinking about a guy I’m dating than God, or staying in a relationship that I know isn’t His best for me because I don’t want to be in that unknown single limbo. As much as I’ve confessed this idolatry, I have not really known how to fix it in a tangible way. It’s always felt out of reach.This all changed after reading an excerpt from a book by John Bevere called Killing Kryptonite. He spends a few pages talking about idolatry. Here’s are some of my takeaways:What you idolize, you worship. Back in the day, people worshipped in front of figurines, today people worship all kinds of things- money, relationships or success just to name a few.What you worship, you obey. When you obey something, you prioritize it. When you prioritize something, it means other things come in second.Idolatry is obedience to something other than God.With this revelation, I’m now afraid to count how many idols I have! Oh, how many times have I disobeyed God! I’ve stayed in relationships too long, despite God prompting me to leave. I’ve stayed in jobs longer than I should have, because I wanted the money and status more than I wanted to follow His calling for my life. It all makes sense. These are the idols of which I should repent.Anything that makes me disobey God—anything that I put before Him—is an idol.For all of us, I pray the words of 1 John 5:21 today: “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols” (NIV).
About the Author
Elizabeth Blumer
Elizabeth, a 29 year-old with Southern roots, works in Silicon Valley as a Marketing Manager for Google. With a love for travel, meeting people and experiencing new cultures, she’s followed the Lord’s call for this fast-paced season in life. Originally from Atlanta, and currently residing in San Francisco, she’s also lived and worked in New York City and New Delhi, India.
Elizabeth has a heart for loving on and investing in the “next generation.” She enjoys fostering and building Christ-centered community in the areas the Lord has placed her. In India, Elizabeth started an English school for children in a village near her church. At Google, she mentors young marketing professionals early in their careers. Her goal is to become a Proverbs 31 woman - a Christian defined by grace, poise, Godly character and wisdom, and in her free time, she’s always ready to learn a new skill or have a good, heart-to-heart conversation while on a walk.
You can follow her on Instagram here and follow her blog, While I’m Waiting, here