Idolatry

 I started the first day of reading my list of books by reading Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller. This book has already put me in my place. I have a bad habit of putting other people and things before God and I had a small battle of it today. And just like God is known to do, He made me realize it. The realization came when I read "An idol has such a controlling position in your heart that you can spend most of your passion and energy, your emotional and financial resources, on it without a second thought" How many times had I spent most of my passion and energy or emotions on people and things without giving it a second thought? I don't even think I could count all the times. But I pray that, like today, when I'm battling with idolatry that God will let me know, that He will show me one way or another.

The book recanted the tale of Abraham and Isaac and put the story into a light that I had never thought of. What would have happened if God never asked Abraham to sacrifice his son? Would he have spoiled him rotten or become over protective? Either would have been detrimental to life as we know it. Abraham is claimed as the founder of three major religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. But they wouldn't be what they are today without Abraham's obedience to God and his willingness to give up his "idol".

I pray God shows me what I consider idols, that He opens my eyes and that He opens yours as well. We all deal with idolatry and we can't escape it. But God is there to help us through. If we offer our idols up to Him, He will be faithful in His promises to us.
Just as He told Abraham, we should tell Him "Now we know that you love us. For you did not withhold your son, your only son whom you love, from us" (Genesis 22:16)