Idols of the Heart

Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts. Ezekiel 14:3

Worship begins in our heart. Not the heart that pumps blood through our veins but the seat of our will, emotions, and intellect. The very center of our identity. The bedrock of who we really are. I was struck when I read today’s verse that God did not mention the shrines the idols were in or the shelves on which they were displayed. He got right to the point and said they were setting up the idols in their hearts.

It causes me to stop and ask myself what I am setting up in my heart. I am learning that not all idols are made of wood. Whether it is in an atmosphere of religious worship or everyday life God has been teaching me that an idol is anything or anyone I give my heart to in place of Himself. It is anything or anyone I turn to instead of turning to Him. It is anything or anyone I rely upon to do for me what only He can do.

I spoke in a women’s Sunday school class yesterday. During the course of the lesson I let them know relationships have always been important to me. God has graciously allowed me to cross paths and hearts with some incredible people. Each one was brought into my life as a gift from my heavenly Father. But so often because of heart issues and unresolved hurts and disappointments I looked to the relationships to fix me, heal me, change me, and comfort me. In my own way I was looking to individuals to perform some major heart surgery in me. For decades I kept asking myself “why” it wasn’t working. Now I know! God, in His loving kindness will not allow it to work. He knows if I can get those kinds of needs met through individuals I will never turn to Him. I will revel in their friendship and keep Him at arms length. So what did He finally do?

Six months ago He changed a relationship that resulted in my being completely devastated. It wasn’t my choice….it was His. He loves me that much! It has taken months to separate the lies from the truth. It has been a time of renewing my mind and reestablishing my heart. He graciously took the idol I had set up in my heart and removed it so that His rightful place could be resumed by Himself. Painful? Yes! Necessary? Yes! I embrace Him like never before.

Father, my idolatry grieved You. The removal of my idol crushed me. Thank you for drying my tears, comforting my heart, and renewing my spirit. Amen.