Whilst exploring the existence of God, the question was asked: why are we prone to worshipping idols?
Living in 21st Century Britain, idolatry is not overt. Even church-goers are not obviously the worshipping type. Church attendance appears fairly obligatory and functional. Scratch the surface, however, and familiar forces emerge that people devote their energies and lives. Some aspire for more money, it’s their god. Some will follow the team in sunshine and rain, it’s their god. Some will sacrifice their lives for their family, it’s their god. Some will do what it takes to climb the ladder, it’s their god.
Indeed giving yourself to something or someone in a manner that depicts worship may not reflect old rituals of bowing down to the sun, the moon, an image of a cow or a statue. It is still embedded in the heart of an individual and community however sophisticated and ‘progressive’ it appears to be.
With such a wide variety of gods available, it’s not unusual to get entangled with one sooner or later. The web that it weaves around the heart and mind is so intricate it’s not simple taking on the sole Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Faith in the sole Lordship of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest growing pains we experience. We sing songs about Him being Lord, but struggle with the implications of that on the individual and collective basis. We still look for other lords in his place. On a collective basis we prefer the hierarchy of man to the Lordship of Christ. So it’s the fault of the pastor/vicar/bishop/minister when things don’t work out. It’s implied he’s in charge.
On the individual basis Jesus is only Lord in as much as He serves us in a way that feeds the real governor of my life. He is lord if my marriage works out. He is lord if my children are safe. He is lord if the money that helps us stay secure keeps rolling in. In fact He isn’t really lord at all, He’s the ever resourceful butler. But He’s not lord. And that’s a problem.
It’s a problem because the terms of our relationship with Jesus acknowledges not just a Saviour and friend, it must acknowledge Him as King and ruler. After all His message was of a KINGdom, you see where the key is, right?
Our journey in knowing Him unveils the intricacies in our lives that seek to deny Him His Lordship. Those hidden strongholds on other gods we held onto for so long and His gracious, patient and insistent work in us to uproot it so we serve Him as truly Lord of all.
Indeed His grace truly is sufficient for us. We can learn to trust Him and learn to lean on Him to wean us off those rival lords. We can learn to and must, even in the pain of the transition.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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