Not in Vain

Idols are not always “overtly wrong”.

I am NOT suggesting that idols are good but I am trying to say that some idols are not blatantly evil at first sight.

And idol is anything in place of God.

This is the basic definition of an idol. God’s rightful place is first above all other things. This is at the heart of the Greatest Commandment.

Deuteronomy 6:4–6 NIV

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.

This was the daily verse most Israelites, in my understanding, would recite. It was a reminder of the first command in the list known as the “10 Commandments”: You shall have no other gods before me.

Yet, idolatry is subtle and tricky.

I know this to be true in my own life and think I have been around the sun long enough, though still very young I admit, to see this in other peoples live.

The self-made person is attractive.

Our culture is thrilled with stories about self-made individuals, whether in business, sports, leadership, etc.

Our goal is to be Christ-made not self-made.

Self-made anything is contrary to the words of Scripture. This is not a new thought. Sometimes we can easily get in the habit of proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior and then live as if he is not active in our world.

The Psalmist reminds us God is active.

Implicit in this Psalm and others is that God is alive and well. Though the world of ancient near easter culture said most gods were distant this is never the picture of Scripture.

Hard work is good but not the reason for success.

Just because is active does not mean we can be lazy.

We need to reclaim the rhythms of life and Scripture.

God set up seasons to help guide us.

We must humble ourselves in community with others.

As we realize God’s plan for the Church we must remember that is to be in relationship with one another. It is only in relationship do we realize it is not always about us.

The ability to relax reminds us our worth is not in our effort.

Insomnia to some extent is the result of trying to be self-made. This is not always the case as there can be biological reasons for this.

Christ does not need more effort.

We doe not always need to “do more” and “work harder”. This seems counterintuitive, at least maybe to me.

Christ desires we “rest” in Him.

We must remember that He is the vine, not us.