Looking for blessings in all the wrong places

After reading Tim Keller's book "Counterfeit gods" I've been think a lot more about idolatry...
Now, when you say "Idol" or "false god" many people think of ancient, primative people worshiping baals and asherahs, or offering sacrifices to statues made out of wood or stone.

But the truth is idols are everywhere in 2011...
probably more so than thousands of years ago

You see, the bible tells us quite plainly that we are made for worship.
It's how God created us to be.
It's who God created us to be.

To make much of him... to glorify him.

So, if we're all worshipers, then the big question becomes...
Who/What do you worship?

Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart is also."

That means whatever you spend you time, treasure and talents on... THAT'S your idol.

And it's not a bad thing... it's usually a good thing.

Idolatry is taking a good thing and making it a "god" thing.

So, whether it's love, money, work, spouse, children, status, self...whatever.
That's your idol.
We all have them.
We all struggle with them... whether we admit it or not.

Jacob in the bible, is the perfect example of having idols... not only that, but exchanging one idol for another...

Even before Jacob was born he fought with his brother Esau for prime position. Even in the womb he understood the importance of being born first. His idol was status and family positioning.
Then after being born (second) he lived his childhood in his bother's shadow. We're told that Isaac loved Esau more.
What a horrible thing to live in!
And so NOW Jacob's idol became his dad and what his dad thought of him. Everything he did was focused on trying to get his dad to love him more.

Next, Jacob's idol shifted to the birthright (and we all know what he went through for that!)

Then his idol moved onto having a hot wife. If only he could get Rachel... THEN his life would be complete!

Then it was having the right kind of sons.

But the most interesting area of Jacob's life is found in Genesis 32, when Jacob wrestles with God and refuses to let him go until he blesses him. This is so deeply rooted in previous idols, where Jacob feels the need to be accepted and loved and blessed by his dad. God does bless him, but not before popping his hip out!

That blessing - the blessing through the Spirit that is ours through Christ - is what Jacob received, and it is the only remedy against idolatry.
Only THAT blessing makes idols unnecessary. As with Jacob, we usually only discover this after a life of "looking for blessings in all the wrong places."
It often takes an experience of crippling weakness for us to finally discover it. That is why so many of the most God-blessed people limp as they dance for joy.

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