You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3-5

Have you taken God off his throne?

Last week, I was planning the dedication for my daughter. Although certified as an event planner, I do not enjoy planning them. I love decorating, and delegating, but I get anxious when left to plan an entire event. First, I worried that no one would come. Then, I worried about the food to feed them. I got so anxious it manifested as pain in my shoulders. 

One night in a dream, I told Jesus how I felt. He tried to tell me something, but I could not understand. He pointed to His throne. I saw a cloudy ball labeled worry. I had placed my worries onto Jesus throne, and He could not help me. I did not realize this truth. After seeing this, I changed my mindset. I imagined that everything would turn out fine. Jesus was back on the throne, and I felt relieved – whew!

What are idols?

When we think about idols, we probably think of something tangible like a golden calf (Exodus 32) or an image carved out of stone or wood. However, according to the Oxford Reference, an idol is an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship; in extended usage, a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered. In other words, an idol can be anything that you admire, love, or focus on instead of God almighty.

What are your idols?

I remembered when I was pursuing my PhD, it consumed me. I was at the lab all the time (including holidays). When I attended church, I would be thinking of some experiment I was going to set up as soon as church ended.

To most people, this looked like determination or focus. I did not know it then, but this was a form of idolatry.

Idols can take many forms in our lives. What is it that you think you cannot live without? Your family, spouse, children, money, a job, a house, a degree…? What will you stop at nothing to get? Things themselves are not bad, but what have you placed before God? Here are three things you may idolize without realizing it.

Money/material things

Scriptures say the root of all evil is the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10). Not money itself, but the love for it. We should reserve our love for God and people, not things of which money is a part. Do you need the latest or special brand of things to feel important or worthy? If you should no longer be able to afford these things, how would you feel? 

Is money your idol? Let us see:

Would you do anything (including lie, steal, betray yourself or others) to earn money?

Do you hoard money, while living like a pauper?

Do you talk about money or material things (this sounds like, I want this or that) all the time?

Work

I remembered before committing to God that I lived to work. Taking vacations was a no no for me. Back then, I traveled for work, I would use my time away for work abroad as a vacation. 

I loved to work. I did not know that some people saw this in a negative way until I spoke to a friend who was an HR manager. When she asked me, “why do you love to work?” I had to think about it on a deeper level. I realized that I loved working because I loved to help people (I recognized this because I also loved volunteering).  

After this revelation, I looked at work differently. 

When most people think about work, they think about working for someone/a company in exchange for money. If this is you, is it work or money that you love?

For me, work is helping another person. I may or may not get paid to do it.

And now I ask you. If you go to an interview today and they ask “Why do you want this job?” What would you say?

Comfort

Everyone likes some level of comfort. But do you live to be comfortable? Everything worthwhile in life takes some risk. Every dream God has for us is an uphill journey. This journey is the growth required to get to the dream. Growth is uncomfortable. It takes intentionality, growth is not automatic. Sometimes growth takes longer than expected (and therefore more discomfort), this happens when we are unaware of our blind spots. 

The saying “What you don’t know won’t hurt you,” is a lie. Get to know yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Always seek to improve your strengths, and work on your weaknesses. What is your temperament? Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Are you sensitive or non-sensitive?

When we take time to know and understand ourselves, growing in our strengths and working on our weaknesses habitually, we learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. This is where rapid growth occurs.

How to get rid of your idols?

Decide to take a stand

We are living in a world that has forgotten where to place our values. We value money, things, and comfort (even problems) above God and people. Sometimes we value people above God – people pleasing. As believers, God should be first, what He says stands. Will you take a stand for Him? 

Now that we know, let us humble ourselves, seek God, and turn our face (change) so He can heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). 

It is easy to slip into old habits; let us be alert.

When we tear down idols

We focus on God; obey His commands, remember His goodness and mercy in our lives, and celebrate it in other people’s lives. We allow God to work in our lives so our dreams can come true. 

Check out my book Fulfill the Dream: Life Lessons from Pursuing a PhD to see how we idolize things without knowing and the problems it can cause! Both the printed and e-book are now available on Amazon.