Reflecting On My Idols

Reflecting On My Idols

This morning my reading plan brought me to Leviticus 26; and Mark 2. 
The passage in Leviticus led me to realize that I had to 1) check my heart for idols, anything that I have placed before God, anything, any person that I´ve come to value, prioritize more than God. 2) it also described the rewards of obedience to God in this; 3) lastly, it also illustrates the penalties of disobedience.

"You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves an image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a figured stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God..." - Leviticus 26:1

The dictionary defines idols as:
- An image or representation of a god used as an object of worship.
- A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered:

As I reflected on this, I had to start asking myself, if there is anything or anyone getting in the way of, or taking my heart away from focusing on my God. Am I loving God with all my heart and soul and might or have I set aside tiny nooks of my heart and reserved them for myself and my idols thinking that it would be ok since most of my heart and soul and might are for God anyway? Then I remembered...:

"You shall love the Lord your God with "ALL" your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." - Deuteronomy 6:5

My QT plan for the past month involved reading one Psalm each day. Interestingly today I was at Psalm 49. This Psalm talks about the folly/futility of pursuing and trusting riches and taking pride in one´s own accomplishments.

"...Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
His glory will not descend after him.
Though while he lives he congratulates himself—
And though men praise you when you do well for yourself—
He shall go to the generation of his fathers;
They will never see the light.
Man in his pomp, yet without understanding,
Is like the beasts that perish." - Psalm 49:16-20

Has the pursuit of riches, recognition, and reward taken up some small space in my heart-a heart that was meant to be for God alone? Have I foolishly been thinking, "I can take a little credit, deserve some reward or recognition, relish some praise for myself, save some riches for my own use, etc.?"

This brought me back full-circle to the passage in Leviticus 26, where it says:

"...If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit...I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble. I shall also eliminate harmful beasts from the land, and no sword will pass through your land. But you will chase your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword;...So I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will confirm My covenant with you...Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people..."- Leviticus 26: 6-12

There is nothing inherently wrong with riches, rewards or recognition. God Himself promises to generously give His people all of these (Matt. 6:33) on the condition that we love, obey and seek Him "FIRST" and not the other way around. Thinking that we will seek success, fame, riches and reward and glorify God with them is flawed thinking.

God is glorified when we love, obey and seek Him first and we are rewarded by Him with success and everything else that comes along with it because then people will see God and not the "idol" which is our own effort of pursuing success.

Workplace Success Secrets

Two Practical Workplace Success Secrets From Joseph
Genesis 39:2-4

39:2 "The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man."

Success Secret #1 - Stay Close To God, Put Him First
The most critical component of Joseph´s success was never in his looks, abilities or talents but in his relationship with God. We cannot have a relationship with someone without getting to know them. Difficult as it may be at times due to the demands of our workloads and schedules, we need spend time with God strengthen our relationship. The only practical way to do this: Reading His word and praying.

39:3-4 "Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand...So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge."

Success Secret #2 - Glorify God In Our Work by Working as Unto Him
The favor Joseph enjoyed from his master, was a result of his master realizing that God was with Joseph. Looking at these verses I couldn´t help but wonder how Joseph´s master was able to discern that God was with him until I remembered a couple of verses from the book of Matthew and Colossians.

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men..."

As believers excellence is not an option for us it is a natural by-product of our relationship with God. The motivation behind this excellence is the fact that what we do we do for Him. The questions I need to ask myself here is: How much excellence have I been putting into my work lately? Have I been working in a way that those who see my work and me at work would be able to give glory to God?

Unfortunately, in both areas I´ve failed many times. Good thing I read this as I was taking my lunch and its a new year. Time for some long overdue changes!