BEWARE OF WHAT MIGHT BE AN IDOL
How is it that what you think will be a walk in the park turns out to be like walking on hot coals? Last week, my Sunday Post was about taking a day of rest. After working for six days, the Lord rested on the seventh day. The seventh day, the day of rest is the only day that the Lord blessed, making me think it was extremely important.
We can’t talk to the Lord in person, so the Bible is our guide. Reading the Bible and trying to interrupt how it applies to our life is how we can be more like the Lord. He gives us examples in His word and in the life of Jesus Christ. The first act of God was to create the world, and then He rested. If we are to follow His example, then after working six days, we should take a day of rest.
I had been listening to a sermon on this subject and wanted to try and incorporate it into my life. However, there is a problem… I’m a workaholic. I knew it would be a struggle for me, so I listened to the sermon again on the way to my sister’s house.
As I got to the end of the sermon, several praise songs were being sung. I absolutely LOVE the song, Holy, Holy, Holy, and when I wake up in the middle of the night, that is the song I sing in my mind. So, when this song came on, I started singing along with them at the top of my lungs. You can do that when you are traveling by yourself, and no one is there to give you a look that says, “you can’t hold a tune at all” Lol!
I started getting emotional while singing the song, and then I topped a hill, and there was a 60ft. metal cross on the side of the road. I’ve seen these crosses before, there’s one close to my home, but this one took me by surprise. It was almost as if the Lord was giving me a sign, a 60ft. tall one, that I needed to obey.
While I was at my sister’s, I started thinking about how I would be able to take a day of rest and still do a daily blog post. So, on Thursday, I worked hard and scheduled Friday and Saturday’s posts ahead of time. Then, when Friday morning rolled around, I tried not to do any work. That meant no emails could be answered or sent; no comments could be made by me, no Instagram posts; I couldn’t do anything. My DIL helped me by answering some comments, and the emails had to wait until Saturday morning.
Here is the thing…I was miserable. It drove me batty not to pick up my phone to see if someone had a question I needed to answer. Once I got home, I took a nap, fixed myself something to eat, made Joe take me riding around, and then I played for a while on my phone. I also went to bed at 9:15 because I was so bored.
When Saturday rolled around, I was so thrilled to be able to work again. How crazy is that? Here is what I’ve learned; this was a simple task that might be a walk in the park for some but was hard for me. I realized I NEEDED to obey this command because it ISN’T a walk in the park. It is a struggle for me, and I am in danger of letting my work become an idol.
1 John 5:21
21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
Exodus 20:3
3″ You shall have no other gods before me.
Jonah 2:8
8″ Those who cling to worthless idols
turn away fromGod’ss love for them.
I had never thought about my work being an idol, but it is possible that it was becoming one. This has become my identity, where I was going to find my worth, and I have been guilty of putting it before everything else.
I don’t have a statue of other gods, so I thought the “idol” passages in the Bible didn’t apply to me. Money is an idol that people struggle with; some struggle with relationships being an idol, but I never thought anyone in their right mind would consider working an idol.
When I looked up the definition of an idol, this is what I found. An idol is a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered. An idol doesn’t have to be a golden calf; it can be anything we admire, love, or revere. While there isn’t anything wrong with admiring or loving someone or something, it becomes an issue when we put it before God. I’ve been told that while I am in the “I’ve got to” stage right now; my day of rest will soon move to an” I get to” stage. So, no matter how hard I struggle with rest, I will find a way to rest one day a week. God comes first; work will have to wait.
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Book : From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks is great on audio and addresses work, stages of life and spirituality from a social scientist perspective. I could relate to my workaholic stage and he offers some great tips to help transition and keep perspective as we age. Enjoy!
Or keep the Sabbath on the 7th day of the week. It’s an adjustment but it brings blessings
Tania. Your post today about idols spoke to me. I too am a workaholic. It took an unfortunately accident to help me put things in perspective. I am going to work hard that as I heal I don’t revert back to my former ways. Your post will be a reminder of that
Tania, We all love you and your content. I think we will all be OK with just six posts a week. Maybe that will make it easier for you to rest one day.
I struggled with the same “idol” when I was working. My colleagues finally got used to no responses from me over the weekend. Occasionally my manager would call on Saturday but most of his requests could be handled on Monday.
Thank you for this post and reminder!
Amen sister!!! You’ve opened my eyes this morning to what is my idol! God forgive me for putting it before you!! Have a blessed day!!
Wonderful post. We all need a day of rest just to say thanks God for my life.
I don’t generally read your Sunday posts because I’m at mass but today I did. I believe I’ve identified something that has become and idol in my life. I’m struggling to fix it. With Gods grace I know He will help me. I think recognizing it is the first step. Thanks for posting.
You should rest on Sunday not Friday and it will be a lot easier.
I feel like saying, Amen! Thank you for all your work but focus on what is most important for us all.
Amen Sister! And I love your fashion! You have taught me how to dress again….at 60!