Cure for an obsession: get another one. —Mason Cooley
Because we aren’t able to fully comprehend God, it can be easy to turn our attention to more finite things—things we can comprehend on a much more tangible level.
Moses got an intense glimpse of God’s glory on Mount Sinai. He then descended the mountain with supernaturally carved tablets containing the law of the holy and powerful God. It might be safe to say that he was excited to go and tell his people what God had to say.
But what did he find? While he was gone, the Israelites made a large golden calf… and they were worshiping it as if their lives depended upon it!
He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?” “Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us….’ So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf” (Exodus 32:21-24)
“Make us gods who will go before us.” That is the essence of idolatry. Idolatry takes place anytime we allow anything to take the place of God as the central life-giving almighty force in our life. In the Western world, golden calves are pretty much out of vogue, but in their place, we have managed to create a huge list of other things that become our substitutes for God:
- Girlfriends/boyfriends • The body, physical pleasures
- Careers • Knowledge
- Money • Comfort
- Reputation • Security
- Cars, houses, clothes
The list goes on and on.
These things will stay with us and vie for our ultimate attention for the rest of our lives. However, it’s our choice to give in to these things. Always choose God above all, because He is perfect and will never fail.
God, remind me to keep You where You belong in my priorities. Keep me faithful and joyful in what You’ve given me. Amen.