“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:32-34
I hope this title doesn’t offend you. Today is St. Patrick’s Day and some people put green food coloring into their beer so they can enjoy their idol and fit right in with the crowd. Everybody living in this fallen world has an idol that occasionally, takes their attention away from God. Have you ever stopped and considered how many idols you have? Which take up more of your time? Family, fortune, occupation, hobby, travel or relaxation time spent on the internet, cable TV or a good book? Have you ever ranked them by how much time you spend with your idols during the week?
I took an online Bible study about idol worship decades ago and I recall that it said that any idol, regardless of its beauty or usefulness or original purpose, is to be set aside so that Christ might reign supreme; without a single competitor. Idols today, can be made out of anything like gold or silver or paper currency. They can be another person. I’ve seen people treat their dog better than their children; a furry, four-legged idol with a wagging tail. What idol has first place in your heart?
A church building can become an idol to us, when all the while it is simply a place to meet and worship our Lord for an hour on Sunday; nothing more. And dear North American, retirement can occupy your thoughts so deeply that it can become your future idol. Luke writes to us in the above scripture; "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. What you invest your time and treasure in, what you talk about, what you keep returning to in your mind reveals what's really in your heart. It's just that simple. Our Lord and Savior wants to occupy first place in our heart. My purpose for today was to consider the scripture from Luke and prayerfully take a peek at our idols. Now, take a look at the attached photo. This is a street market in Haiti. When I look at the things for sale the words “mwen gran goo” come into my memory. I have heard many Haiti children and adults say that to me; “I am hungry”. Could any of the produce in this photo be an idol for you? I have never been so hungry to idolize having a banana or as they say in Haiti; “fig”. Will you please join me and pray for children attending Christian schools in Haiti with a Trinity HOPE feeding program? May Christ live in their heart and the idol of food be melted away with their daily lunch.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay