What do You Seek?

Do you worship false gods?

If your quick “No!” comes from the idea that a false god has to be a spiritual being, let’s take a closer look.  There may be false gods in your life that you do not even recognize.

In Psalm 16, which is in the Old Testament, the idea of a false god would be a reality.  People believed in all sorts of gods—and they worshiped them as well.  Whether it was a golden calf or a god of the sun or soil, there were any number of gods people looked to.

Today, while there may be some people who still hold to this practice, we tend to think of false gods as those material, sometimes intangible things or concepts that we adhere to and sometimes inadvertently worship.

Psalm 16, Verse 4 says, “They multiply their sorrows who court other gods.”

This is a good word of warning to us.  If we focus our attention on false gods—rather than the God of creation—we are simply going to multiply our sorrows.

So what are these false gods we might be allowing into our lives, that we need to watch out for?

There are the obvious ones—money, power and position—of course.  While we might immediately object when being accused of seeking these, and perhaps deny that they hold a primary place in our lives, it will do us good to look closer by way of reflection to seek the truth.

How often do you make a decision based solely on money?  Does your life revolve around making it, saving it, spending it and tracking it?  Has this become the center of your life?

Do you choose extended hours of work (60-80 hours a week) over spending time with your family, hoping that it will give you the luxury of leisure or something else, some day, even though the extra income is not really needed today? 

In doing so, have leisure and materials things become the false god you seek?

Are you willing to allow your health to be affected by stress and anxiety because you are concerned about losing your status?

In doing so, have you forgotten that you are a temple of God and allowed status to become the false god you seek?

Are you concerned about your children being the best at an activity or being the brightest academically and push them toward goals that will only provide them material gain?

In doing so, you are teaching your children to place their hopes in false gods rather than the God of the universe who loves them even in their imperfections.

Does your pride prevent you from really looking at the choices you are making or have made, and making necessary changes?

If this is the case, you are focusing on the false god of fear in addition to pride, and when given attention, pride and fear can be paralyzing.

Are you seeking what will make your whole family, whole? That would be a good thing.  Children need to learn what is truly worth seeking in this life, and avoid running after that which cannot truly satisfy.

Help your children discern decisions that will keep them healthy and mentally strong, rather than holding up for them idols that will bring them sorrow.

I am sure with a little thought you will be able to identify the false gods you have allowed into your life, and remembering that they will “multiply your sorrows,” ask the one true God to help you root them out so that you can replace them with the gifts that Jesus gives—freedom, joy and love.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com
janetcassidy.blubrry.net