I'm just sitting here thinking, I suppose, about things that are a part of my life that I'm thankful for. Things and activities that I get to do. It's really easy for those kinds of things to become idols though. It's weird.
I think of my photography. I love it, despite my up and down relationship with it. It is where I'm seeking to eventually gain most of my income, but when that doesn't happen quickly I get down. I would say that is a form of idolatry. Of course I'm responsible for my end, but God is the Provider, right?
So I might say, "well, maybe that isn't going as well but I get to teach some great kids and other people in a variety of ministries". And what a blessing it is. But I had to sit here and think "what if I no longer had that opportunity, would I still be happy"?
Tough question.
This has been a lifelong battle for me, and I suppose for many others out there, to REALLY find contentment in Jesus. It's easy to say that He is our everything. But if our jobs and relationships and situations change, is He still our everything? It scares me to think about, honestly. I guess there's a little bit of the rich young ruler in some of us.
"...if our jobs and relationships and situations change, is He still our everything?"
So I guess as I write this it's turned into a confession, and I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with it. But what I can suggest to myself and any of you who deal with this kind of thing is to remember the promises of Ephesians 1:3-5 and Hebrews 13:5, and even what Paul wrote to the Philippians in Philippians 4:19. And hey, guess I should think about Matthew 6:33 since the website is kinda named for that.
It's pretty silly to idolize jobs and people and ministries. More than that, it's sin. So may we all be careful to remember who our God is, and remember our value and worth are found in knowing Christ, not in what we do. Not in who we are, but who He is.
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