One of my running routes takes me by a statue of Mary encased in a stone wall outside a private home. It’s not uncommon to find rosary beads, notes, or other trinkets left at Mary’s feet. There was even a cast left there from someone’s healed broken arm. Similar scenes can be viewed throughout Ireland as people put their trust in something (or someone) other than the one true Lord.
And yet, I find myself sometimes falling into this same habit, placing trust in idols over my heavenly Father.
When I have prepared to teach the youth in our church, I have spent hours searching for the right video or song in attempts to be relevant, only to be discouraged when the youth seemed disinterested or indifferent. My confidence was in the tools I was using to teach instead of the Teacher being revealed in the Bible lesson.
When women in church have shared their disappointments in me, I have allowed my heart to be broken and my day be completely ruined. I became insecure about and frustrated with my ministry efforts all because my trust was in their approval instead of Jesus’ work on the cross, the work that gives me ultimate approval in the eyes of God.
And there have been countless times when I have shared Scripture truth and wisdom with others only to feel betrayed and ignored as they deliberately chose to go their own way. My hope was in their life choices instead of the Author and Creator of life.
There is only one God who is wholly trustworthy and competent, and he sent his Son not only to prove this but to shatter any hope and confidence in false gods.
If I stop to consider the power of the cross, the idols of my own design pale in comparison. Oh, how important it is to reflect on the Gospel daily to set my mind and heart on the only One who deserves my confidence, trust, and hope.
“Blessed is the (wo)man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7
What idols are you tempted to trust over our one true God? How does reflecting on the cross change this?
I’ve been known to idolize my job as mother, and the result is a constant flux of emotions concerning my value as a person. My value was determined by the behavior and responsiveness of my children instead of on who God says I am, his daughter adopted into his kingdom for his glory. When I look to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, all the emotions are filled to overflowing with my Father’s love for me, and in turn, I become a more loving, gracious, and patient mother.