I have been working on this Bible study this summer with a group of girlfriends and can I just say this is much harder than I thought it would be. The study is No Other Gods by Kelly Minter. I thought I would have this one in the bag. Just a sweet little summer study, no pressure, no conviction, no changes to be made. OK, maybe a little one here or there but nothing life changing or altering. Then God shows up...hmmm...leave it to HIM to get in my business. This morning as I was walking with my music it seemed each of the songs that were loaded on the player was speaking directly to my issue. Argh!
The study is about confronting the idols in your life. I was thinking big, hairy, ugly, obvious idols. You know like a golden calf, something like that. Not the more subtle one that has been clinging to my for well, let's just say a very long time. I knew it was there and I always struggle with it, but I never considered it an idol. The author defines an idol as anything that we place too much value on. Something that takes the focus off of the Lord and puts it somewhere else. Another word she uses is 'functional idol'. The verses that the study starts with are in 2 Kings 17:33 "They worshiped the Lord, but they also served their own gods." and 17:41 "Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols." These were believers loving, worshiping, giving to God, yet serving their idols. This has really been hitting me this week. One my walk one of the songs was Jeremy Camp's 'Enough'. Especially theses lyrics:
And all of you
Is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough
Even though I know all the words to this song and sing it loud, I really don't think I believe it. If I did I don't think I would let some of the things that occupy my thoughts be there. I don't think I truly believe that God is enough. Ouch. If I did believe this I would not think so much about what other people think, how my kids act, how much I weigh, what I am wearing, how my hair looks, what grades my kids get, what people think about how well my husband does his job, or the kind of car I drive. This is just the short list. I could go on and on. Not that any of these things are bad to think about, it is just the value I place on them. These things are all just symptoms of the idol I have that needs to be put in it's place. So now I go to work on tearing down the idol...only with God's help will I be successful.
9 comments:
I agree Jill, this Bible Study is much more challenging than I initially thought it would be. It also sounds like we are worshipping at the altar of a very similar idol...and leaving these functional gods behind is more difficult than I ever thought. You are very much in my prayers.
Love ya,
Beth
When I did a post a week ago, several of you mentioned this study, and I'd never heard of it before! I think it may be our next study now!
I loved that you thought it would be easy...I do that all the time, and then like you said, God shows up :) Good stuff Jill, keep us updated!
PS I love that song...I have it with the Barlow Girls singing it too :)
Sarah, your post a week or so ago about the filter of self is what started me down this track. Thank you sister ;o)
"enough"
That seems to be on both of our minds.
interesting.
I love that song too, by Jeremy Camp.
to think God is more than enough IS a tough one to swallow isn't it?
Yeah, I was thinking, "Oh cool, a Bible study where I can get to know these new friends of mine better!" Who woulda thunk that God wanted me to get to know HIM better? I am actually glad to hear you are struggling with it too, cuz I was thinking you were perfect... LOL! I know you are not perfect, but it's still nice to know we are in this together! What an AMAZING journey huh!
I'm right there with you Jill! God is really speaking to many areas of my heart through this study. Ugh...I've got a lot of work to do on this heart of mine, but I'm so thankful God is there to work through it all with me. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
Ouch! Okay...so I'm not in your bible study. I'm not even close enough in proximity of you to BE in your bible study...but just the things you mentioned in your recent post...weight, type of vehicle, kids actions / grades, what other's think, hair, clothes, etc...really made me stop and think. I, too, would think of something major...golden calf...not those every day things in life. I know I'm struggling with more idols than I care to admit. Thanks for your post...it made me stop and think about some changes I need to start making in my life. But still...OUCH!
You know that couldn't of been an easy thing to post about, I know I can totally relate. I don't think its wrong to think about that stuff BUT if it consumes your thoughts its bad. I know especially in todays society we are bombarded with tv, magazines etc to always try and look perfect. That unless your skinny, tanned, fake nailes, fake hair, botoxed etc that gees your not living the glamour life, and that you are very plain.That couldn't be more wrong. I just pray that God will take that yucky feelings out of my heart and that I would be a good example for my children.
amen! i, too sing that song loudly and have to stop myself and say "yea right". He must not be enough by the way you're behaving!! I am also doing the "No Other Gods" studying and loving/hating it! sure is revealing a lot of lies i've been believing. love your blog i'll be back to get to know you better.
-sheryl
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