This past Sunday, my dear Pastor gave a powerful sermon. As I listened to his words, I was sitting on the edge of my seat – absolutely sure that he had written this sermon for me alone.
“How does he always know what's I am guilty of!”
Dang it!
Luckily, as I have shared this response with fellow members of my congregation, I found that I am not alone. And not only am I not alone, I am surrounded by many fellow believers that know exactly how I feel. The message was on “Keeping Yourself From Idols” – that is, keeping yourself from finding your comfort and security anywhere in the world apart from Christ. He included some interesting “diagnostic questions” that I want you to answer about yourself. And do it truthfully. Don't worry, I won't share your answers with anyone. I promise.
Grab a paper and pen and write down your answers.
Do it, I say!
To help in recognizing your idols:
– What do I worry about the most?
– What do I use to comfort myself when things go bad or get difficult?
– What do I do to cope? What are my release valves? What do I do to feel better?
– What preoccupies me? What do I daydream about?
– What makes me feel the most self-worth? Of what am I the proudest? For what do I want to be known?
– What do I lead with in conversations?
– Early on, what do I want to make sure people know about me?
– What do I really want and expect out of life? What would really make me happy?
– What is my hope for the future?
Bleh. See what I mean?
It was so easy for me to fill in each and every one of these questions. I was easily able to recognize things that I tend to put in front of the Lord.
Chores.
Money.
Objects.
Food.
Friends.
Stuart.
Work.
Blogging.
Family.
Shall I go on?
While all of these are important, and no sin in and of themselves, the desire to seek them first – before seeking the Lord – IS a sin. And I'll be the first to admit I am guilty of making idols out of many, many things. For example, as you are all very aware, I feel comfort when my house is clean and in order. I feel secure. Happy. Content. If it isn't, I can't sleep well at night (knowing the work that lay ahead). However, on that same note, I can not say my prayers, be focusing on God's kingdom, or read my Bible and sleep just fine.
I'm embarrassed to admit that.
(Shaye hangs her head in misery).
Don't shun me, please!
Recognizing what I tend to idolize has helped me recognize the folly of it all. And I have enlisted Stuart to help hold me accountable when I begin to seek such idols before seeking the Lord. A clean house that will (literally) be dirty again in fifteen minutes should never hold precedence over the comfort and security that is found in the Lord. My good mood should not be based on the state of my kitchen counters, but by the state of my heart. As Pastor Gene pointed out, in our idols we seek “privacy, lack of stress, freedom, affirmation, love, relationships, self-discipline, certainty, standards, success, winning, and influence”. As surely as the sun raises each morning, we will not find any of these things apart from the goodness of God's grace.
And at the end of my life, I hope to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Not, “You kept a very clean home.”
Things of this world that we idolize are fleeting. They can vanish in a mere moment.
But God has, and will, reign forever.
And ever.
And ever.
And Amen.
“When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my hold mountain.” Isaiah 57:13
wish I had been there for this sermon!! that is a constant struggle for me! taking something that is a good thing and letting it become my security and reason for living. I really tend to do that with my relationships, and I notice it when I get INsecure about them not being as perfect as I wish they were!
I’ve noticed it with thinking about raising my kids too….I have to remind myself that our goal isn’t to raise kids that love and adore ME, but kids that love and adore CHRIST. It doesn’t matter if I am a “cool mom” if they don’t live their life for God and his kingdom.
Thanks Shaye! gonna try to look up the sermon online or something! 🙂
wish I had been there for this sermon!! that is a constant struggle for me! taking something that is a good thing and letting it become my security and reason for living. I really tend to do that with my relationships, and I notice it when I get INsecure about them not being as perfect as I wish they were!
I’ve noticed it with thinking about raising my kids too….I have to remind myself that our goal isn’t to raise kids that love and adore ME, but kids that love and adore CHRIST. It doesn’t matter if I am a “cool mom” if they don’t live their life for God and his kingdom.
Thanks Shaye! gonna try to look up the sermon online or something! 🙂
This was a great sermon. I’ve come to realize idols are sneaky things with very long tentacles. Removal is a painful process. So glad to hear you felt the same.
Blessings Shaye!
Lori
This was a great sermon. I’ve come to realize idols are sneaky things with very long tentacles. Removal is a painful process. So glad to hear you felt the same.
Blessings Shaye!
Lori
Hi –
Yes, they certainly can be sneaky things. Absolutely.
Thank you so much for this post. I think I really needed to read about this tonight.
I sort of stumbled over here on accident but have spent quite some time reading a lot of your older posts. I love your blog! And now I want to make chapstick and Scotch eggs. (Funny note: My husband LOVES Scotch eggs and up till now has only gotten them once a year at a particular festival. Can’t wait to surprise him.)
Anyway, thanks again.
Mrs. C (in Texas)
Hi –
Yes, they certainly can be sneaky things. Absolutely.
Thank you so much for this post. I think I really needed to read about this tonight.
I sort of stumbled over here on accident but have spent quite some time reading a lot of your older posts. I love your blog! And now I want to make chapstick and Scotch eggs. (Funny note: My husband LOVES Scotch eggs and up till now has only gotten them once a year at a particular festival. Can’t wait to surprise him.)
Anyway, thanks again.
Mrs. C (in Texas)
Amen and Amen!!!
Man, I needed to hear this tonight as I frantically stress over a clean house. Our bestt friends who live far away are arriving at our homestead tomorrow and have never visited since we moved here…I have definitely been idolizing my home today and my poor children have paid the price with a snappy mommy…ugghhh, at myself. Deep in my heart, I want people to see the Lord in our lives, and then I get in the way and try to make a clean home more important..yikes..
Thank you for this!!
Amanda
Amen and Amen!!!
Man, I needed to hear this tonight as I frantically stress over a clean house. Our bestt friends who live far away are arriving at our homestead tomorrow and have never visited since we moved here…I have definitely been idolizing my home today and my poor children have paid the price with a snappy mommy…ugghhh, at myself. Deep in my heart, I want people to see the Lord in our lives, and then I get in the way and try to make a clean home more important..yikes..
Thank you for this!!
Amanda
Beautifully honest and sadly I am in those shoes as well. (also hanging head in shame!) This post touched me!
Nic
http://www.AFarmhouseFull.com
Beautifully honest and sadly I am in those shoes as well. (also hanging head in shame!) This post touched me!
Nic
http://www.AFarmhouseFull.com
Thank You
Thank You
Shaye, I don’t know if you get notification of comments from your older post. I have been engaged in your blog since 2012. This year I thought I’d start from the beginning.
You’re older post were so full of Jesus. I see Him throughout your life here is this 2021, but I read about Him in your writing back in 2011.
You’re a blessing dear woman. Your family inspires and the blog, YouTube and cooking community have brought a wonderful and fresh perspective to this wonderful homestead life. Thank you, 9 years later of reminding me to not put this worldly life, my great big dreams, my needs or wants, or chores or expectations before our Great Big Awesome Loving Audacious GOD. My hope and assurance must be in Him. He is the ONLY sure thing. Be blessed dear. Thank you again.