Confessions of an Idol Worshiper

No, I don't mean American Idol, if that is what you thought of as you read the title to this post. And no, I don't mean that I've been hiding any statues in my apartment either. So how can I be an idol worshiper then, you ask? Good question.

As I sat in church this morning listening to how idolatry is the enemy to the Gospel and heard questions like these below, I was ashamed but unfortunately not completely shocked at what my honest answers were.

• Where do you go for comfort?
• What makes you angry?
• What has God not given you that you are not happy with?
• Whose approval are you seeking?

I'm always amazed, though I know I shouldn't be, at how God patiently continues to reveal something specific to us in a number of different ways until we get it. Several weeks ago now, I began studying the OT book of Jeremiah with a friend. If you are not familiar with this book, most of it deals with God's judgment of Israel for... you guessed it, their idolatry. And as I read about Israel, I of course drew the parallel to my life to a certain point, but pride blinded me from really admitting how much I was like Israel in her idolatry, until today. (I hadn't gotten to Jer. 17:9 yet obviously, which talks about the heart being deceitful.) This same pride often prevents us from seeing our sins for what they are---placing something of lesser worth above the One who is of greatest worth.

So in my life, instead of the more obvious sin of laziness, the deeper sin is my idolizing comfort and ease, rather than identifying with Christ's sufferings and denying self (I Pet. 4:12-13). And instead of the sin of vanity, I idolize others' opinions and views of me and seek man's approval, rather than growing in faith by cherishing the cross in order to please God not man (Heb.11:6).

Thankfully, as I read Jeremiah, the parallel to my life is not only with Israel's sin but with their salvation as well. God graciously and mercifully continued to call His people Israel to repentance, just as He does for His people today. So I find rescue from my idol worshiping through Jesus, my Redeemer. He is the Truth and Light, illuminating the deceitfulness of my sinful heart. He calls me to turn from all my idols and to worship instead the One who alone is worthy of worship, thus finding the true peace and joy my heart longs for.

Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what thou art.
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou has made me whole.
Jean Sophia Pigott