Well… here we are at the middle of the week.
My suit case still has a few items to be unpacked, the house could use a little TLC, and we will be opening our beautiful blue door this evening to welcome some guests for dinner…so miles to go, yet, for this lady who is still in her pj’s.
A quick thought it is for the day and then it’s off to tuck all the paperwork and clutter into a laundry basket, whip up a meal and sprinkle some fall decor here and there.
Thankfully I work best with the pressure of a short deadline and hospitality as the carrot on the stick of my easily distracted mind.
I am reading in Ezekiel, yet another book that I feel I need to study better to grasp understanding of its complexities, but one thing jumped out today from The Message translation.
In the opening passages of Chapter 14, God speaks to the people and says they have “installed” idols. Twice He uses that word. In other translations it says “set up”.
I always think we just stumble into idolatry.
Unwittingly, one little misstep at a time, we veer away from God and suddenly wake up one day realizing we have turned from Him and have begun to offer our worship and devotion to the “little g” gods of this world.
But as I read this morning the word “installed” I think of what that means.
When I have something installed in our home, it is an intentional effort.
I select something, pay for it and either put the muscle into placing it as a somewhat permanent part of our home or spend more money to have someone to do it for us.
If someone is installed in an office; this too comes with selection and effort and intentionality.
Setting things up, installation…these are not accidental activities.
I have to realize that God sees when I stubbornly and willfully choose to place other people, pursuits, practices, desires above Him. Even if I can’t see it in myself.
He sees the time I invest and the effort I put into exalting a substitute for His love, provision, sovereignty, guidance, and care.
He is aware when I pursue my own selfish desires.
It is a sobering thought and I understand why I am urged constantly in Scripture to guard my heart and mind, as I can be my own worst enemy in the game of idolatry.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful though to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left; keep you foot from evil.”
Proverbs 4:23-27
