One of the great delusions of our day is that we think we can alter the shape of reality. Sadly, for us, reality is a solid rock! We can’t change it or move through it. We can choose to adjust to the reality of the solid rock or crash into it, even though a lighthouse may be flashing warning signals throughout our life journey.
The reality is that we were created by God to worship Him alone, because He alone is the Giver of Life and He alone can fill our hearts with life each day. We were not designed to worship other gods or idols. The universe was not designed to have other human beings, other things, or other pursuits become so central to our lives that they receive our wholehearted devotion. We were designed to worship God alone and be shaped by Him, not by idols.
Our problem is distractions. And the distractions end up shaping us. Why would we be drawn away from worshipping God to value people, things, and pursuits more highly than Him?
This passage invites each of us to reorient our hearts appropriately.
- The Design: Worship God
- The Disease: Distractions
- Distraction 1: Injustice in the World
- Distraction 2: Money
- Distraction 3: The Blessed Life
- The Cure: Contentment
Reflection Questions:
- What is distracting you today?
- a particular justice cause?
- the lure of material wealth?
- the blessed life?
- something else?
- What could you do this summer to remove these distractions and nurture your oneness with Jesus?
