2012: I resolve…to spend more quality time with friends and family

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. (1 Corinthians 10:14-15)

Huh?  Why the heck did you choose that verse, Cait?  What does idolatry have to do with not being able to be with friends and family?

Well, whoever said that, it has everything to do with it.

OK, we know that idols can be god-like statues that some people worship in place of the Lord.  While I am sure that many people reading this do not have those types of things at home, I bet that they still fall prey to idolatry.  You know how I know? Because there are just too many distractions that can take our minds off God in this modern world.

Whatever occupies your thought so much that you push aside time with God and your loved ones…that is an idol.  We all do it, too.

I have written about this topic before, but it never hurts to read it again.  Our minds, like a room, can get cluttered with stuff and junk. And just as you cannot manoeuvre properly in such a place, you cannot get around a plethora of mental distractions.  Why is it so many of us feel guilty when we just choose to take some time for ourselves to relax?  That guilt is so wrong, it’s not funny. And there is nowhere in the Bible that commands us to fill every second of the day with stress so we just collapse under the pressure.

What are your idols that prevent you from truly being with the people God has given you?

• Work?
• Sports?
• Food?
• Financial gain?
• Material possessions?
• Clothes?
• Busyness?
• Worry?
• Health?

You might be wondering why I included health as a idol.  It does seem unfair, but I can justify it.  On one extreme, you can pursue your physical fitness with so much activity, that you exclude others.  On another, you can obsess so much about your lack of health or perceived lack of health that you have left no place for God to give you peace. Personally, my health is a 24-7 maintenance game and I catch myself talking about it all the time.  Then I think to myself, “Aw, we could have used that time to have more fun. Why did I go on like that?”

While it is important to take responsibility for your life, like a good steward of the blessings God has given you, it is equally important to remember to enjoy your life!  It’s not all supposed to be one big trial or stress.  Yes, work, but don’t stay at a place that is making you ill, or preventing you any opportunity to unwind.  Yes, we need some clothes and material objects, but put limits on yourself and don’t equate possessions with happiness. Yes, be concerned about your finances, but don’t think about that every waking moment, and be content with what you have if you are living comfortably. Yes, don’t be bone idle, but don’t let your busyness get out of control to the detriment of relationships and health. Sports?  I have no idea why I wrote that.  There is nothing wrong with too much football…

Jesus tells us not to worry (Matthew 6:25).  He also tells us that it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person [who thinks only of wealth] to get into heaven (Matthew 19:24).  Most importantly, Jesus is standing at the other side of our door, waiting to be let in (Revelation 3:20)!

Whatever you are doing to prevent yourself from having time to connect with God and others, please, stop it or tone it down.  It just is not worth it.  If you are carrying a burden alone, then please, invite others to carry it with you.

We are not meant to walk this life distracted and on our own. Write a list of what is preventing you from connecting.  Then, pray for wisdom to change the top two items to:

1. Spend time with God.

2. Spend time with friends and family.

Your relationships are the only thing in this life that are truly valuable. Pursue them in love, and leave all your worries and cares in the Lord’s capable hands.

“O God of mine, I’ll have no idols…” ~Rita Springer (Listen to song)