No Other Gods

Some friends and I started a long distance book club. The first book we are reading, entitled No Other Gods by Kelly Minter, has struck a cord with me. She has a very conversational writing style that is personal and not so preachy. You know she understands what she is writing about because she has experienced it too.

I'm only in chapter two, but as I read it last night and listened to my sweet husband snore softly, I felt God tugging on my spirit. "Who or what do you worship? What treasure is stored up in your heart?" Hmmmm. Not so easy to answer if I'm honest with myself. Sure, I'm a Christian, so this should be easy, no? The trouble is that how our faith plays out in real life, not on paper, can often look different. How I spend my time, what I think about, the words that I speak, the interests that I pursue, and the relationships in my life are the real indicators of my heart priorities. Is God apart of my everyday life, even the details? Today, honestly, I don't feel very holy. I'm tired, my back hurts, my children's needs are wearing on my strength, and my housework is a long line of 'to do's' that will never end. Nothing in all that feels spiritual. I don't feel spiritual. How does worship fit into this life? How does spiritual treasure influence the life of a woman stuck in this world? I work on this everyday. It isn't easy.

One of the verses she referenced in passing struck me.

"And do not become idolaters as were some of them.
As it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.'" I Cor. 10:7

I had to go back to Exodus 32 to see the big picture because with only this verse you might ask, is it idolatry to play and enjoy life? Of course, the answer is no. But that is not what was happening. The Israelites has constructed golden idols to worship instead of God and were essentially partying at the feet of the idols. Worshiping the idols and pursuing all things related had consumed the thoughts, hearts, and actions of the people. There was no room for their powerful, sovereign God in their lives.

And so it happens to us, to me.

Worship God. Serve God. You cannot have one without the other. In my everyday, unholy-feeling life I must worship and serve God. How? Today I don't have answers that fall out in practical terms, but I have the Truth and to that I will cling. Abide.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34

My house is a mess, I haven't showered yet today, my kids and husband need me, my head hurts, and all I want to do is curl up and take a nap. In the midst of all this, I know my greatest longing right now is to be known and loved by my Heavenly Father. And so I will abide in Him.