If I asked you what you worship, you might roll your eyes and say, “Here comes another lecture on idols and gods from some Christian zealot.”
But if I asked you, “What thing do you think about most or what do you do the most whether for pleasure or work,” you would probably have an answer. And if you did not, someone in your circle of friends and family would know.
I believe we might agree, people tend to focus on certain interests to the exclusion of others. Perhaps, it is because it would be chaotic to try and manage a myriad of opportunities simultaneously. And that is, of course, true. We simply cannot do anything other than specialize, it seems. One person ranches, another welds, still another works in law, or medicine, or logistics, whatever.
These, of course, are vocations. And maybe that is your passion. Well enough.
In our discretionary time, though, we select hobbies, or causes, even philanthropy, if our bank account permits.
Why? Because we are each wired differently and necessarily. But these variances in our work and play are of one nature and worship is of another or should be.
Of all the commandments that God could have given the Hebrew people, His first was, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Why would such a directive be given and how does this relate to daily activities or interests?
There are spiritual lanes for which we are to stay within. We cannot ascribe an accolade to something that is undeserved or to a lesser extent unwarranted. A simple example most would recognize is when a person holding a PhD is referred to as a doctor. To be fair to the academics among us, it is acceptable to be called “Doctor,” but in common usage, most of us think of a doctor as one being medically licensed.
In my professional, one can have an honorary Doctor of Divinity, but no such academic title exists.
In the same way, when we give uppermost worth to an object, passion, or ideology, that is unjustified, we are attempting to change the rules of the game to suit our own interests. If everything we do or think or possess is under the supremacy of the One who makes it all possible, we cannot change lanes where no avenue is afforded.
So, if you or I are giving worth to something above God, we are worshipping another god, which is no god at all. This is unacceptable according to scripture and even more so, logically.
This week, I encourage you to spend some time reflecting and ask yourself what is it that is the most important thing to you?
Is it an object of worship or simply a passion?
Are you in the wrong lane?
Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ.
