I grew up Catholic, like I said. My parents were terrific - we said prayers as a family before bed and dinners, we went to church each Sunday, my brother and I attended Wednesday evening service as well as Sunday school, and we were often involved in the church happenings. I grew up a happy child, in a loving home, with great parents - which I feel extremely blessed for. However, I failed to grasp something all of those years of my life - relationship with Jesus.
Growing up, my understanding of God was that he was a big God, a good God, but far far away, in some distant galaxy. My understanding of Jesus was limited to the fact that He was God's son, and He forgave me. I understood "religion" as being a good person, being nice to other people, going to church on Sundays, and making sure to confess all of your sins. That was my limited understanding of it.
I could go on and finish the rest of my testimony, but today I just want to focus on what I missed out on growing up. I built up this idea of God, religion, and Jesus, but it was for the most part, all no good - I missed the big picture entirely.
Relationship with Jesus Christ is much, much more then a church visit on Sunday, a good Bible study, carrying someone's groceries for them, a spiritual high, a memorized Bible verse, a confessed sin, or signs and wonders.
Relationship with Jesus Christ is about pursuing Him wholeheartedly. This means digging into His word, talking to Him, making Him top priority.
If Jesus Christ is NOT occupying the top of our priority list and something else is - this is called idolatry.
God says in Exodus to not have any God's but Him, and to not worship false idols.
Sometimes I think that when we think of idols we think of statues of pagan gods, greek gods, sacrifices rituals, or something of the sort. I know that when I thought of "idols" I always thought of stone statues and people bowing down to them.
The scary reality is however, is that there are probably more idols in our day in age then ever before.
I realize this is a bold comment to make, but think about it. Facebook, Twitter, texting, money, relationship status, technology gadgets - iPods, iPads, iPhones, cars, homes, fashion, food, singers, actors/actresses, books, models, movies, and so much more can be constituted as idols now - and we probably don't even realize it.
Even seemingly "good" things can become idols.
My challenge to you is to take a serious look at your life and really examine if there is anything in your life that could constitute an idol. Mine personally, was getting to be Facebook for awhile there. I'd choose it over reading Scripture, soaking, spending time with God, ect... Before I realized it it was the first thing I checked in the morning and the last thing I checked at night. Finally, I woke up to the reality that it was taking up more of my time then God was - that is an issue.
Enough religion, more relationship. More intentional, spirit-filled, wholehearted relationship with God.
More reading His word - and less Facebook status's.
More talking to Him - and less texting, Facebook chatting.
More soaking in worship music - and less soaking in reality tv and movies with less then God-glorifying messages.
To all in my generation: its time to take a stand! The devil lures us by all of these "innocent," seemingly "less destructive" idols.... time to say no. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Our God comes with plans to prosper, and bring love in peace...
More of Him - less of the worldly.
It may seem radical, it may seem harsh - but in the end, all else fades, and one thing remains.
In Him,
Samantha
