The Idolatry of Good Things

 

I try to find a quote for my day planner each day. It’s my way of pushing myself to, in the middle of the social media scrolling, find things that are worth remembering.

Back in November, I found this quote, written by Sarah Valentour, and while it is a little on the lengthy side, it also holds a powerful message.

The idolatry of good things devalues our relationship with God by exalting something of this world to His plane in our hearts. Our lives feel incomplete without this good thing, and we feel deep despair when thinking about never having it. Slowly, it rises higher and higher in our minds until it becomes the thing we think we can’t live without.

The idolatry of good things neglects our relationship with God, because it steals our time. We warp this good and beautiful thing that we so desperately want into something that consumes our days and our every thought.

The idolatry of good things creates bitterness toward God. Since we know that every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord, we can fall into the assumption that anything good that’s missing in our lives is being withheld from us. We look at what we lack and view it as punishment or neglect rather than as providence or a season of waiting.

Such conviction!

My list-loving self makes project lists and wish lists and dream lists, and while I don’t think those things are sinful in and of themselves, I can see how they bring about the potential to yearn for things of this earth more than the God Who made the earth and all that is in it.

 For example, yesterday I shared with you about my experiment with time blocking. It was a good thing in theory, but it became an idol. It stole time away from my focus on the Lord, and it wasn’t worth it.

May nothing in this world – whether job or house or possession or person or practice – matter more to me than my relationship with the Lord and the reality of all He has done and provided. May my thoughts be focused on Him above all else. May I find contentment in what He has seen fit to offer me and trust that it is all I need.

May the good things never elevate above that level: good. May I appreciate them for the joy and beauty they offer, but may they never fully captivate my soul.