An idol is something without which one cannot function.  It is dependency.  It is repetition that becomes blind tradition that becomes dependency.  The question is not whether or not America is a Christian nation, but whether or not America understands that she has many idols on the altar of her heart – regardless of whether she is Christian or not.

It is bittersweet coming back to America, only because we love her so dearly.  To be able to take snapshots of people’s lives for a day or two, mostly Christians, and to see what excites them and what they are passionate about is an eye-opening experience.  Let me be clear that we do not come with condescension, nor do we judge those with whom we spend time.  It is simply heart-hurting to see what shallow things drive us and give us the strength to function.

Idols are constantly trying to push their way into the Christian’s life.  It is a constant battle so if someone were to say, “There are no idols in my life,”  I would doubt seriously the person has a clear definition of an idol and would doubt their idol identification capacity.

What can you not live without?  What would affect your spirit and attitude if you were to lose it from your life?  Where do you go/what do you do to recharge?  What would be the last thing that you would give up doing…ever again?

The answers to these questions will give you a clearer view of idols in your life.

They are innumerable.  They are diverse.  They are prevalent.

Sports.  TV.  Friends.  Car.  Work.  Fishing.  Nascar.  Soccer (for Bulgarians).  Hollywood.  House.  Gun collection.  Pets.  Cigarettes.  Golf.  The list goes on and on…

If I were to say that you could never pick up a basketball again, how would that affect your spirit?  If it would affect your spirit, it is an idol.

If I were to say that you could never watch another NFL game, how would that affect your spirit?  It is an idol.

How about never go on Facebook again or never go fishing again or never go to the mall again?

Watching an NFL game, going golfing, watching a movie, drinking a coffee, smoking a cigarette – none of these things are intrinsically sins, however, when we become dependent on these things, they become idols.

And this is what is heart-hurting.  Christians who would decry someone who smokes cigarettes, will vigorously defend their dependency on coffee.  Cork it, Maulucci!  Don’t touch the “sacred cow” idol of America.

The same Christians who find security in their spirituality by going to church three times a week cannot comprehend their dependency or see the parallel in, let’s say, watching three hollywood movies a week.

I am in no position to judge anyone, and that is not the goal of this post.  Let each of us examine his own heart’s altar.

Hey, maybe you are all set and have “need of nothing” and don’t need to change anything.

Laodicean.

That is what hurts.  We make a pretense of spirituality while we are poor, naked, wretched, blind and miserable.

Hey, if you get the opportunity to golf, go out for a coffee, watch a game, go hunting – enjoy it!  But the presence and influence of Jehovah God should drive us.  The conformation to the image of Christ should be our passion.  To walk humbly with our God, to love mercy, to do justly – these things are things we should not be able to live without.

We should not be grieved to miss the game or the race or miss Starbucks, but we should grieve to miss our time with our God, to miss time in His Word.  To miss His handiwork in the sunset or sunrise or stars.  That should affect our spirit.

If it doesn’t, you may want to check whether He is your God or not.

Ezekiel 14 “…These men have set up idols in their heart…thus saith the Lord, Repent and turn yourselves from your idols…”