Still working along in the book, “Idol Lies”. I must say I wasn’t particularly thrilled with chapter two *in the book* – but by the time I got done with the study questions, I had some serious food for thought. The idol I have identified (this year) to work on is the idol of approval.
A plan of attack and a plan of defense have shown up…
Plan of attack: Wait upon the Lord. All the verses that the study guide had me read talked about the immediacy of sinful desire. So if I can consciously make choices to *wait* on approval instead of bouncing like a dog in a fake bacon commercial.. that would stave off the sinful aspects of approval-idolatry and let me work on 1) patience and 2) resting in the Lord. Patience isn’t just a virtue – it’s something I need to have in my every day life. I could start listing the ways that incorporating patience and not snatching would improve things, but we’d be here all day.
Plan of defense: Focus on God. This was in the study, and it’s on the header of my other blog… we are supposed to focus on the lovely things, and we’re supposed to look at God. Biblically, that’s how we can avoid any amount of sin – put our attention on God. So, I need to spend more time outside, preferably with time on my hands to just *look*.
Do you ever think about how the modern world works to separate us from a visceral understanding of awe? All the time we’re plugged into the Matrix, whether our ears or our eyes… and when we’re not plugged into something for pleasure, we’re forced to for work. Do you enjoy staring at ribbons of concrete when you have to drive somewhere? Neither do I. But if I sit and watch the hawks circle overhead for more than a second or two, I’ll find myself in an accident.
I need to be patient and wait upon the Lord, and I need to think about Him while I’m waiting… not just fill up my time with idle entertainment and comfort.
Patience and wonder. That’s the way.