American Idol

God’s been doing a work on me. I think it is fair to say that He is doing a work on all of us. He’s been stripping me. What once brought me joy and comfort no longer satisfies.

We hear a lot about not idolizing anything in Christianity. We know not to put anything else before God. We think we are being honest when we admit that our phones have become our idols. But, in doing this “noble act,” we are forgetting all the other things we idolize without even knowing it.

At the beginning of this madness, my husband kept saying how he liked that pro sports and entertainment were no longer a thing. The way we pay and look to these celebrities as gods never sat well with him. So, when their power and influence was stripped, he was happy.

I’m not a huge celebrity follower. I don’t watch much TV. I like watching baseball and football, but don’t miss it when it’s gone. So, I thought my idol worship was under control. And then God reminded me of reality.

I worship my comfortable life. I worship my American dream. I worship routine, knowing what comes next, planning, to-do lists, and normalcy. I worship my Instagram feed and the comfort I feel when I watch my pretend friends tell me their stories when I click on those little circles. I had no idea how much I idolized other things before God. Until now.

'Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:  Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.  “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.' John 21:1-4

The disciples went right back to what they knew after Jesus died. They were so consumed by their “normal” life that they didn’t even recognize Jesus standing on the shoreline at first. I mean, hello, Jesus, the Son of God who just died and rose again is hanging on the shore and you don’t know who He is? I’d like to say I would’ve done better, but who am I kidding.

I am sure they felt defeated and bummed like many of us feel today. It probably felt really good to get back into the swing of their old ways. I can completely relate to them. The feeling of normalcy and routine feels good. It’s like balm to our weary souls. But, that’s not the balm Jesus wants us to reach for. He wants us to reach for Him because He knows that’s where true peace and satisfaction come from.

But God.

Sometimes, I sigh when that, “But God,” comes into play. If I’m being honest, I don’t always like when He interrupts my life. This time, however, I am glad He did. Never have I felt more free. Things that used to influence me and that I worshiped, no longer have a hold on me.

What are you longing for? What is just out of your reach? There are things in our lives that bring us comfort before God. That is an idol. It is time to drop it; let it go forever. Feel the discomfort knowing that freedom is right around the corner. You don’t need those things to bring you joy or relief. All you need is a tiny bit of faith.

Enjoy your freedom.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.    1 Corinthians 6:12