Blessed Losses

What image comes to your mind when you hear the word idolatry? We usually envision ancient physical idols crafted out of stone, metal, or wood (Isaiah 44:9–20). But idols and gods can take many forms and are often very difficult to recognize. Even good things or beloved people can become gods for us.

On November 14, 2007, I arrived in the town of Canela, in southern Brazil, for the meetings of AFAM (Ministerial Spouses Association) of the South Brazil Union Conference. My task was to translate the presentations of Sharon Cress, who was from the General Conference. One of her talks was about God asking Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac (Genesis 22). She explained that the reason for God’s command was that Abraham might easily make his beloved son Isaac his idol that could take the place of God in his life. Mrs. Cress added that God might do the same with us today.

He may remove something or someone we love more than Him.

He acts as a loving mother who sees her little boy happily playing with a sharp knife in his hand. She gently opens his fist and removes the knife, knowing that a little frustration now can prevent a much bigger tragedy later.

This thought-provoking analogy should lead us to some very personal reflections: What or who are the idols in your life? How can you recognize and get rid of them? An idol is anything or anyone to whom we devote our most precious time and our deepest feelings. It can be a spouse, a child, or a friend.

One way to discover it in our day is to look through your computer’s browser history. In his book Gods at War, Kyle Idleman states, “What you are searching for and chasing after reveals the god that is winning the war in your heart.” Today can be a new beginning in our lives. We can clean what needs to be cleaned, give up what needs to be given up, and refocus our priorities.

So, let’s surrender everything we have and everything we do to God.

In other words, let’s allow God to be God in our lives!