More Than Stone

Often times, I find that when I speak of idolatry, it doesn’t quite seem applicable to my life. I think that, though I know this isn’t true, I still think of idols as little statues that people worship.

Now, I know that’s not true. I know that we have idols in our lives. Sometimes we hear about people being idols. About money being an idol. Ok. I can see that. But aren’t there other idols that we currently accept in the church?

Comfort?
Education?
Class?
Safety?
Health?
The bible?
The church?
The nuclear family?

What do you think of these? Do you have more to add to the list?

I’m being challenged.

By God.

I think He’s saying…”Ok, Miss smarty pants….(at least that’s how I hear Him)…so, you’ve finally discovered that I’m about renewal, restoration and reconciliation. So, what are you going to do with that?”.

It’s easy for me to think about the poor…to go to Africa…to work with kids without parents…. and those things are part of what God has called the church to do. That’s the kind of stuff that excites me, the issues I feel passionate about.

What I don’t feel passionate about is going back to the churches where I have been hurt. Going back to the places and people that have wronged me “in the name of Jesus”. What I want to do is walk away from those people and places, shrug and say, “They just don’t get it.” However, for the last few weeks, through a variety of different situations, I’m afraid that God may be saying “Hey, dummy, renewal, restoration and reconciliation is for those people too.” In response, I say to God “Let someone else restore, renew and reconcile those people. They hurt me. That’s too close to home. I don’t wanna. Come on God, (in my best whining voice), let somebody else do that. They have hurt my feelings. A LOT. I want to feed the poor, volunteer at a homeless shelter, go to Africa again.” And if I said what was really in my heart, I would add, “I want to do things for the Kingdom, that I’m not as emotionally involved with.”

But perhaps, just perhaps, God is telling me to start where it hurts most. Start with the thing that I least want to do. Start in the place that I feel most vulnerable. Start in the places that I would rather walk away from.

To be honest, I’d rather not. I’d REALLY rather not. Tonight, however, I’m thinking that it is exactly what God may be calling us to.

Most Merciful God,

I confess that I have sinned against you,

in thought, word and in deed.

By what I have done and what I have left undone.

I have not loved You with my whole heart.

I have not loved my neighbor as myself.

I am truly sorry and I humbly repent,

for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me;

that I may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name.

Amen.