It could never happen to me, right? I have followed Christ my entire life. Surely, it wouldn’t happen to me.
But stark reality revealed the truth. The idol must go.
Blurry lines between dreams, reality, promises, and faith made it an opportunity for confusion. But at the end of the day, in the dark of night, laying alone in my room, I knew the truth: those dream had become too much.
My heart made demands from the Father Who gave the promise.
Rather than seeking the Father, I sought to promise.
And the promise became an idol.
When would it come? How would it come? Why did certain things happen the way that they did? What is going on?!?
In all the questioning, the most important question was lost in the shuffle: Who is the Promiser?
Demanding the promise be fulfilled, and throwing all manner of questions at the Throne, I bypassed the most important question of all: Who is the One that is faithful? Who is the God of the promise? Who is the One you are seeking?
Echoing the words of an Angel many years ago, why was I seeking the Living among the dead? Why was I seeking the blessing, rather than the One Who would bless? How could I be so focused on the promise, something that could easily pass away, that I forgot the One living God who would be forever faithful?
So I had to lay it down. Though it takes time to break the unhealthy patterns, the discipline required now will reap peace and calm in the future. For an idol can do nothing but weigh us down.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and the kill, and to destroy…” –John 10:10 NKJV
An idol steals your life, kills your focus, and destroys your sight for seeing God’s hand. A careful reading shows that these are the only reasons a thief comes–there is no positive payback. There remains no glory. “…to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Period.
Only in laying the idol down, walking away, and focusing on the One who gives all good things can I possibly put things into their proper perspective.
“…I come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” –John 10:10, NKJV
The options are clear: A) steal, kill, destroy; or B) life more abundantly. The choice is mine.
So I lay down the idol that keeps be from my life in option B.
By Jennifer Cook from groundswell ministries
Leave a Comment
Amy Hunt says
Oh, yes, I am here, also. Having made an idol out of His promise, I admit the need to surrender it into His Hands and just look at Him, alone. Oh how your post spoke to my heart today, Jennifer.
Rich blessings as you rest in His presence…
Jennifer says
To you as well…
Julie Ruegsegger says
Hi Jennifer, and thanks for this reminder today. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Interesting how John Calvin calls the heart an idol factory. We are always churning out new product, so it is a daily repetance. How sweet to find the burden relieved! http://tracinggrace.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/the-gift-of-god-is-himself/
Jennifer says
The heart as an idol factory–the visual that comes to mind is the Veggie Tales “Rack, Shack, and Benny” with the factory of chocolate bunnies. Thank you for the imagery!
Amy says
I have been here over and over unfortunately. The thing that the Lord blesses me with becomes my focus instead of Him. I have often had to look at that thing in my right hand for what it is, an idol. (Isaiah 44:20) Praise the Lord!! He doesn’t leave us standing there for long holding that worthless thing before He shows us where we are and gives us the opportunity to throw it away.
Jennifer says
“…gives us the opportunity to throw it away.” Interesting–reading that I realize that so often we (I) see giving up an idol as a sacrifice, when it is truly an opportunity. Paradigm shift!
Karen says
This post is so relative to what I’m going through right now. I have made my abusive mother my idol by trying to fill her empty-hearted well only God can fill. I’ve been drained and sucked dry and cannot give anymore. God has told me ‘enough.’ (Not sure if I interpreted your post ‘correctly,’ but that’s how it spoke to me.) How timely! Thank you.
Jennifer says
“Enough”. What a powerful command from the Lord. When we feel we are not enough or cannot be enough, He says “enough” with that thinking and reminds us that He is “enough.” (How many times can I write “enough” in one post? 🙂 )
Lay It Down…featured on (in)courage | groundswell says
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Marsha says
Lay it down…that’s exactly what I’ve needed to do. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes through this simple example of how I have brought an idol between you and I. It has “killed” my joy, “stolen” my focus and has left me questioning what I clearly heard from God.
In May this year I was called to a ministry in a church over 350 miles from where I currently live. You can imagine our excitement that God was moving us! But lately that excitement has dwindled, and I find myself always asking God why we aren’t there.
Today I surrender myself, my desires and lay them at the foot of the cross. I raise my eyes to look upon you my Lord, my Life. You are faithful, God forever. You know what is best for me, and my life is in your hands, each and every part of it. I trust you Lord, and I live to praise, honor, and worship you and you alone.
Thank you Jennifer for this revealing post. It has changed my life today!
Jennifer says
Praise Jesus…
Kaitlin E says
Love this. You are very talented. I too will take the blue pill (option B).
Jennifer says
Nice Matrix reference! 🙂 As a visual person, I am now seeing Laurence Fishburne and his shades.
Lynn says
Oh, we make it so much harder than it has to be!
This was also very timely for me. I was holding on to His promises through this storm I’m in, making them my idols. Instead, I should be holding on to Him. I need to just let Him be and relax, rest, and know that He is with me.
Thank you for your faithfulness Jennifer. God bless you!
Jennifer says
May He bless you as well.
Beth Williams says
It is so easy to worship the gift and not the giver! We must never forget where the gift came from and the cost that He lovingly paid for us to have it!
Thanks for the great post!!
Jennifer says
Wow. Making idols truly is a rejection of the gift already given. Ew, the level of disrespect to set Him aside for something so much less. Thank you for sharing.
Elizabeth says
Once again, His words come at me from all angles. Laying it down…
Jennifer says
Sometimes is just comes from every side, doesn’t it? His loving barrage.
Karen Dawkins says
WOW!!!
God’s moving in a mighty way. I’m in the middle of a blog series (unexpected — thought it would just be a post…) about American “Idol.” http://karendawkins.blogspot.com/2011/07/american-idol-part-one.html
Let’s get rid of our idols and pursue option B.
Blessings!
Jennifer says
The American “Idol” term really just creeps me out–yet we (I) brush over the label, ignoring the implication. I pray your series yield fruit beyond measure.
Nicolette Choi says
Love this! I am totally there with you…
Lay It Down…featured on (in)courage | groundswell ministries says
[…] I am guest posting today over at the (in)courage website. Check out the post here. […]