Idols

Photo: A portion of July 11 devotional from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

After reading this last week, I began pondering what idols we can have in our lives. Sometimes we are so blind to the idolatry we have in our lives. So I began listing some. Below is the list I have begun. Some of these have been or are idols in my own life or ones I've seen in lives close to me. 

Some of these things are sinful on their own, while others are sinful because they become and idol: when they hold a higher standing than God in our lives, when they are a stumbling block to our walk, or when they interfere with us doing the ministry of God. 

Beware, we can fall into the trap of justifying our idols. Even things that are good in moderation- uplifting to the soul can become so important that God takes a back seat. 

Perhaps you can relate to some of these. Comment below with additions to the list. 

...

Sport stars

TV personalities

Someone you are in love/infatuated with

Pastor

Friend

Sex

Drugs

Job

Technology

Control of money

Food

Clean home

Desire to have a spouse that has the character of so-and-so's spouse

Obedient children

Porn

Finding a spouse

Getting pregnant

Clothes

Shopping

Books

Music

Desire to have a marriage like so-and-so

Busyness of life

Popularity/reputation

Desire to be right

Having own way

Time as a family

Time with spouse

Time alone

...

For me, I've noticed that I have fallen prey to these idols: wanting a godly husband, wanting to feel loved in particular relationships, wanting more time as a family, wanting my own way. 

These are not necessarily sinful on their own, but they have become more than desires. When I treat people wrongly or think negatively of them because I don't get what I want, then what I want has become an idol. When desires get in the way of me being Christ's light and love in the world, they have become idols. 

I may desire that my husband have a deep relationship with the Lord, but focusing on that rather than on building my relationship with the Lord so that I can share His love, is making my desire an idol. Likewise, focusing on the lack of love I feel in a human relationship rather than on focusing on filling myself with Christ's love and sharing that love with others, makes it a idol.

What things are getting in the way of your relationship with your creator, your savior? Take those things to the Lord and ask for his help it removing idols. You cannot do it alone and under your own strength. Beware, the idols will likely try to creep back in and take over. Keep taking it to the Lord in prayer. 

Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other Gods before Me. (NKJV)

Heavenly Father. I have not put you above all else. I have allowed other things to become gods in my life. Help me to rid my life of these idols and place you as my one and only God. Open my eyes so that I may identify these idols and so that I may see these idols as you see them- as stumbling blocks to our relationship. Give me your strength, your patience, your love, as I remove these things. Replace these things with more and more of you Lord. Forgive me, love me, help me, I pray. amen. 

Jobs (chores) for small children

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. - Ephesians 6:1 KJV

Do everything readily and cheerfully - no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! - Philippians 2:14 MSG

When children are encouraged and praised for being helpful from early on they seem to have a desire to help. 

Now, my children do not always want to help, but usually the are willing. When they don't want to help, they are still required to obey if I tell them they have to help. And they have been taught to respectfully respond "yes, ma'am" or "yes, sir" in various situations... And this is one of those. 

Just because they want to stay and play Legos instead of helping with a job doesn't mean they get to stay and play. Nope, they are expected to help. Sometimes I will say that they can play for a little longer before starting the job, other times they are required to stop what they are doing and help immediately. 

Here are some jobs that my little girls (just turned age 5 and 3.5) help with:

1. Filling the toilet paper caddy in the bathroom

2. Picking up or sweeping up chunks of food (especially moist food) off the dining room floor

3. Taking dishes to the sink after a meal

4. Emptying the dishwasher of items they can reach (except breakables and/or sharp knives until they show they are trained for those)

5. Wiping down table after it is cleared

6. Picking up living room of toys

7. Making beds - helping with other not just their own

8. Vacuuming one room

9. Putting groceries into lower cabinets, and lower shelves in pantry or refrigerator.

10. Sanitizing doorknobs 

11. Organizing books on shelf

12. Putting dirty clothes in hamper or transporting them to the laundry room

14. Putting laundry away in drawers, on shelves or on bars they can reach

15. Setting the table for a meal

Comment below with what your kids do to help or your tips of what small kids can do.