"The human heart is an idol factory...Every one of us from our mothers womb is an expert in inventing idols" ~ John Calvin
I recently heard one of my favorite Bible teachers say that if you're wondering what your idols are, just reflect on what you usually think about as soon as you wake up in the morning and right before you fall asleep at night. Those are the times when we are alone with our thoughts. We are free to dwell on matters of our own choosing, so naturally our thoughts will drift to those things which are important to us, or maybe even control us.
Scripture has much to say about the practice of idolatry, and, although Christians don't worship graven images of other "gods," we certainly are prone to create attachments to things in the world that replace the affections for our Heavenly Father. I John 5:21 states "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." The Lord desires, even commands, that we love him above all else and look to him to as a child would to an earthly parent. He alone can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. I believe that is why we should start and end our days reflecting on the Lord and his goodness.
When the alarm clock sounds, my tendency is to race through my mental list of people to see, places to go, and things to do. But Psalm 5:3 says, "My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up." I love this verse. It's a reminder to start my day by thanking him for his faithfulness that is new every morning. I also pray that, by "looking up," I will remember that each moment and situation of the day will pass through his sovereign hands. The Lord is working all things together for my good and his glory. It's my desire to faithfully walk through the day in a manner worthy of his love for me.
Likewise, when we I put my head on the pillow, my impulse is to mull over the day's pleasures, accomplishments, irritations, failures, disappointments, etc. It's not necessarily wrong to do so, but I know I have a loving Heavenly Father who is always waiting for me to bring those cares before his throne of grace. I am faced with either trusting in my own wisdom and strength, a form of idolatry, or obediently casting all my burdens on him, and thanking him for. . .well, everything! What a blessing it is to drift off to sleep after a time of worshipping my Lord.
"Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord." Psalm 4:4b-5
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