21 September 2009

Hold On Loosely



Our church is kicking off a new campaign this week called “Life’s Healing Choices” based on the successful ‘Celebrate Recovery’ program that developed out at Saddleback. The first step, as introduced to us yesterday is humbling yourself and admitting that you have a need.

So, in the spirit of the step study, here I go….

Hi. My name is Jessica. And I struggle with having an over-appreciation for others in my life.

Sounds kinda lame, huh. Yeah, it does to me, too. I mean, when you put it out there along with all of those who struggle with alcoholism and drug abuse, child molestation and loss of loved ones… sounds pretty insignificant. But, you’d be surprised at what can become a stronghold in your life. Or rather an idol, as is in my life.

Kelly Minter states in her study ‘No Other Gods’: “If I lose my faith in Him, I will invariably return to the gods I have left behind.” (In my case, those gods oftentimes being people in my life.)

As I go back now and read over this verse, I realize it’s even more applicable to me when reversed and read: “When I invariably return to the gods in my life, I tend to lose my faith in Him.”

I have been SO blessed with SO many amazing people in my life! … Friends. Family. Co-workers. Church family. Bloggers. You name it. … All amazing. But, all fall short of the glory of God. He’s the only True Sustainer. The One True God.

Kelly also shed new light on Isaiah 46:1-2 ~

1 Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon,
bow as they are lowered to the ground.
They are being hauled away on ox carts.
The poor beasts stagger under the weight.
2 Both the idols and their owners are bowed down.
The gods cannot protect the people,
and the people cannot protect the gods.
They go off into captivity together.

WOW! I love that! Did you catch that?! “Both the idols and their owners are bowed down!” … and “They go off into captivity together!” How true!!!

And, just like the Israelites melted their gold earrings down to make a golden calf … the same gold earrings that the Lord had blessed them with… I, too, have a great tendancy to turn God’s gifts into gods. (Ex. 12:35-36)

“Some of our false gods can be made of things that are in and of themselves perfectly good; they only become a problem when they take the place of God.” (K. Minter)

And before long, I’m trying to ‘mold’ them into what I need them to be and we are both burdened down and headed for captivity.

So, in the spirit of ‘laying it down’ and casting these strongholds aside, I will be praying the words of A.W. Tozer:

“Father, I want to know Thee, but my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus’ name… Amen.”

3 comments:

B His Girl said...

Hi Jess,

I saw your comment on Luann's blog. So sorry to see what is happening in GA. I used to live in metro Atlanta. On the gulf coast, we have experienced the effects of flooding. I will pray for the recovery of people's lives as they seek new shelter. You post reminds us that ultimately only God is the shelter that will last. No other gods will hold us up. I enjoyed the song with the post. May God reveal Himself more and more to you. Blessings, B

Luanne said...

Unbelievably thought provoking post--and I can relate to similiar idols in my life. Will you just keep on blogging cause I love reading your 'stuff'!!

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

Indeed. People cannot replace God. However, they can be God's hands on earth, and perhaps that is where the confusion can sometimes arise.