I’m finding myself more aware than ever, and, definitely on the alert for the following things:
Camp Robber #1: Unrealistic Expectations
Camp Robber #2: Unreasonable Questioning
Camp Robber #3: Unplanned Waiting
Camp Robber #4: Unforeseen Circumstances
However, there is an even sneakier robber-of-joy that creeps into “camp” unaware and subtly steals away my joy (ah, but I caught him in the act this week, and his thievery has forced me to look inwards). It all started with a sentence I wrote down in my journal months ago. I probably am quoting some author or another, but I failed to give credit in my ramblings. “Good things often turn to supreme things.”
I know this about that: Supreme things rule. That which rules controls. That which controls I obey. “Obey” became the key word that sent me scurrying inward for a spiritual check-up. David made this bold statement in Psalm 40:8, “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart (NLT).”
Now, the proper answer to the question of what is supreme in my life, and who (or, what) I obey, is the standard Sunday School response, “Jesus.” However, I’m not so sure that is accurate. There are “good things” afoot. “Good things” that have settled in on the altar that is reserved for Jesus. You see, this Camp Robber doesn’t just steal, he replaces. He snatches and stores; and, he’s so quick I don’t even notice that one is missing for the other that has filled the hole. Camp Robber #5: Unyielding idols.
No, I don’t have a Baal (see an example of this Canaanite god above) erected in my back yard, but I have built some “high places” in my heart. Good things that have turned to supreme things. Things that:
* Absorb my imagination more than God…
* Give me a sense of identity and security…
* Use up my passion, energy, and even financial resources…
* Control my emotions…
Things that:
* I seek to please…
* I march to the beat of…
* I find pride swelling up inside my heart over…
I should stop right there. I won’t. I have an example. A personal one. So, here comes the vulnerability. I love my family (who doesn’t, right?). When my family is happy, I am happy. When my family is here with me, I am happier. So, I will do at all costs whatever I must do to have them come…and to keep them as long as I possibly can. There is one problem. Both Bay and I are introverts. After being around people (ANY people) for a certain period of time, we exhaust emotionally (& physically). When we exhaust, we get cranky. When we exhaust, we become better sinners. But, being with my kids and my grand-treasures is the delight of my life. Bay, too! We plan activities, parties, things we’ll do when we’re together, what we’ll eat, what we’ll play, and how we’ll spend our every waking moment, while still holding the house together in one piece (remember there can be as many as 24 of us under one roof during these special family gatherings) and carrying on ministry responsibilities (from our home office). We love it! We can’t wait for them to come, and we make the most of EvErY sInGLe MiNuTe! The difference is that Bay knows his limits. If I were honest, I would know mine, too, but I ignore the limits just for the sake of being together. The discrepancy between Bay’s known limits and my inadmissible limitations has caused no small amount of disagreement. This tension has brought me to a sad realization – my children, my grand-treasures, can be idols in my life (OK, change that “can be” to “are”…I mean, look at them, I need say no more).
As I began to admit this to myself, I also realized that simply by virtue of the fact that their emotional states can direct the course of my emotional state is also a strong indication of idolatry… That’s when I started seeing other things that the Camp Robber has dropped in my life to replace the ONE REAL SUPREME THING (Jesus). I had to ask myself some questions in order to discover other little “g” gods, golden calves, which I’ve set up to dance around:
What seems to control my emotions? What makes me uncontrollably upset, angry, anxious, hurt, or despondent?
What do I seek to control, to fix?
What do I fear losing?
What drives my life?
How do I spend our money?
How do I spend my time?
When my mind is at rest, where does that compass point? What do I think about?
What habits consume me?
Where do I find my value? What defines me?
When I honestly answer those questions, I find my idols. Idols confuse. Confusion causes joylessness. When I tear down the “high places,” burn the golden calf, put Jesus back on His rightful throne, and start obeying the first commandment, I find my joy returning.
It’s no wonder the Lord put this commandment as #1; He knew disobeying it would be a certain joy-stealer!
So, I reckon I need to tear down some high places; remove some altars. Excuse me, I have some bricks to remove.
