Emptiness

“However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature were no gods.  But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?” (Galatians 4:8-9, NASB).

We may not relate to the idols people worshipped long ago. But in modern life, potential idols are everywhere – and on the surface, they sometimes appear good and praiseworthy.

Take health, for example. Is regular exercise an effort to be a good steward of the body God has provided, or do we turn to it for a sense of identity or worth? And what about finances – do we save money to wisely prepare for the future and fund kingdom work, or do we cling to financial security out of fear?

Whether we see such things as good or problematic, whatever we allow to take God’s place in our heart will never ultimately give us what we truly desire. They may satisfy for a time but in the long run will fail.

There is only one way to be freed from the idols we’ve constructed: We must repent and then receive God’s love and forgiveness. But it takes humility and a willingness to let His Holy Spirit fill the emptiness that has been left behind.

How do we spend our time? Pay attention to your choices this week. What tasks, interests, or habits do we turn to for comfort or affirmation? Where does our faith come into the picture?

Jeff