Me:  Prodigal, Please tell me what you are doing?

 

Prodigal:  I am getting a closer look at this carving.

 

Me:  Prodigal…not to be judging but that looks like an idol.

 

Prodigal:  How can you tell what is an idol or not?

 

Me:  I have a story that can help explain that.

 

Gary Heim and Lisa Heim in the book True North discusses idolatry.

 

The Bible teaches us that shame is the inevitable result of idolatry:  “But those who trust in idols, who say to images, “You are our gods, will be turned back in utter shame” (Isa.42:17).  Shame comes when we have failed to win the approval of our “god.”  If the Lord is our God, then we are freed from shame because we have his approval and acceptance-not based on our performance but upon the loving sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf.  Any other god’s judgment is based on performance.  Those other gods may be self, parents, friends, employers, teachers, pastors, or community.

Reading this is not meant to make you to feel shame.  So please don’t.  It is just to give you a different viewpoint.  Maybe this is a good starting point in prayer today.  Ask God to show you if you have little gods right now.  Ask God to help you feel His approval and acceptance.  Don’t feel pressure to change this or that.  Don’t try to be a complete different person in the next five minutes.  Just have a good ole fashion chit chat with the man up stairs (that is God)  not the other man upstairs if you live in an apartment.  He has time, God’s schedule has an opening just for you!

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love, he will exult over you with loud singing.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

 

www.faithincounseling.org

www.theprodigalpig.com