That was the question that stood with me from Wednesdays last night’s bible study. We were speaking about how most people have idols or idolize something that has taken God’s place in your life. This question is one I heard many times and throughout the years I’ve been sad to say a few things have taken the place that should have always been God’s.
Most of the time it truly is unintentional and that’s why it’s so dangerous because sometimes we don’t even realize we are committing idolatry against God. In the bible it clearly states as one of His commandments “You shall have no other gods before Me.” [Exodus 20:3] As the teacher asked during these times what would be considered to be an idol, I said anything that takes God’s place, priority, and time that we should devote to Him. Our cars, our houses, money, children, spouse, work, and so much more. Now I’m not saying that everything is bad, Paul writes to the Corinthians and says “ All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” [1 Corinthians 10:23-24] There’s nothing wrong with having these things but the problem lies when we give me importance to them and push God to the side as if we can live without Him.
Now that being said as much as I would love to say that God has always been my priority and nothing else ever occupied my heart I can’t say that. One thing I strive for when I talk to others, when I post on my social media, and even here on this blog is to be as truthful as I can. There were times when I could feel the shift in focus when once all I thought about was God and studying His words to thinking about a guy that was talking to me or where I went to the gym more than I went to church, where I could spend hours on my phone/ watching tv but couldn’t even pray for 5 minutes. A group that I love and most of my friends know I love them is BTS, there was even a time that I gave my time to knowing everything about them, keeping up with their music and schedules. Listen, we’re all human and it happens, and to me these things seemed very innocent but I realized I messed up when I gave more time to all of those things than God. I realized that my spiritual life wasn’t the same, my walk, my talk, my actions weren’t guided by God because I wasn’t focusing on my relationship with God, I wasn’t asking God to guide me or to help me live a better life. Like I said these things are not bad but when we put it above God that’s when it is bad.
I’ve learned to ask God to help me balance all of these things and I’ve prayed that no matter what I may be going through that He remains my priority. I began to focus less on the other things and gave Him more time and can I tell you life hasn’t been easy but my relationship with God is finally in a place that I am proud to be in. Of course we should strive to always build a strong relationship with God daily and ask Him to help us get closer to Him. Take it from me, you will definitely feel better knowing that you’re giving God the best of you.
I leave these verses with you:
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” [Revelation 2:4-5]
So now I ask you, What is in your heart that is taking God’s place and not letting you live fully for Him? My prayer is that God can help you through this time to help you fall in love with Him again and have an even stronger relationship with Him.
Hope you have a wonderful day Fam,
Janny Mari
One Day at A Time with Janny Mari 