Cast Idols Aside
"Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless." -- 1 Samual 12:21
All it usually takes is one serious illness, one major car accident or one major heartbreak to put things in perspective. Suddenly, all that gray fades away and we're left with a clear understanding of what really is important. And how insignificant all those things we value truly are.
We seek money. Then more money. Then still a little more money, just in case. And while money helps provide quality medical care, it can't cure an incurable disease. It can't stop a fatal heart attack. It can't sooth a burned body.
Likewise, money can buy us that car we think we can't live without but it can't stop that drunk driver from plowing into us at an intersection and killing our child. That latest cell phone can't stop a robber with a gun. That expensive pair of shoes won't keep us safe if the plane we're on crashes in the ocean.
At the end of it all, those idols of green and gold, those snazzy electronic toys and ego-boosting adornments won't matter. We may lust after them but that can't save us in a crisis. Those things won't comfort us when we find out our spouse is cheating on us with the person we called our best friend. In the dark moments of night, when panic and fear threaten to crush us, God is there. He provides a safe haven, comfort, peace amid turmoil.
How many times each day do each of us "have" to have something we don't really need? How many times do we lust after something someone else has? This goes way beyond economics. I don't care how much money and how many things someone has, he always wants a little more. We all do.
We would do well to remember Samuel's words and keep our minds and desires focused on doing God's will. Imagine the world if we actually did give as Jesus called us to do. We could all do with a little less, so we could give a little more. It just takes pushing those worthless idols aside and trusting God to provide all we really need.
No comments:
Post a Comment