Many times, I have visited what have been considered to be “holy” sites around the world. On a recent trip to Peru, I was able to visit such a site, Macchu Picchu, which is considered to be one of the 7 wonders of the world.
It is no wonder that it is one of the seven, but there is a certain sadness about visiting a site like that. It is a reminder of an entire civilization’s “lostness”. They labored tirelessly to create this site, and so much of it was dedicated to the gods they created themselves, actually, that the true God created. They worshipped the creation of the Creator, instead of the Creator Himself.
Sadly, history repeats itself, even in modern “Christianity”. Many so-called professing Christians have allowed those things created to consume their attention, their time, their resources… their lives.
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God. Ex 20:2–5 KJV
God has made it clear. He wants every aspect of our life, in fact, He is jealous for it. He asks us, His followers, not to allow our time and resources, loyalties and commitments to be misdirected anywhere but in His direction. Many have made life choices that prevent them from being able to allow all their affections to be exclusively on God, consumed with a certain life on this earth.
They adopt a lifestyle that makes certain houses, cars, clothing and all the toys that go with them “necessary”, and then they use up every ounce of energy to financially make it possible. All the while, the things of utmost importance are cast to the wayside: family, spouse, serving God, and even their relationship with God. In fact, they have made those things, the things that they worship more than the One who created them.
Are there “other gods” that are preventing your full attention on the one true God? Who or what are you serving that prevents you from being fully devoted to serving Him? Perhaps it’s time to turn our focus away from those things created to He who has done the creating.
Dr. Ronald J. Barnes Jr.
President / CEO
9/29/2021