“Would you like to guess up to how many gods we believe in?” the guide asked as he looked expectantly at our group.
As my friends started chiming in with guesses in the hundreds and thousands, I sat back and listened to others calling out greater numbers.
I started thinking, how can people believe in many gods? The first commandment says, “You shall have no other gods before me”.
Just then, I halted because God convicted me in my thoughts.
Who are you to judge?
That’s when I realized two things. One being that, how can I know what it feels like to be raised in a society where it is the norm to believe in multiple gods? Would I still be able to find Christ, though my surroundings have taught me otherwise?
Looking at the story of Rahab in Joshua, we see that no matter what religion we are raised in or the society we grow up in, God will continue to pursue our hearts. Rahab was a Canaanite living in Jericho and during that time God had called the Israelites to destroy the city, but before fully raiding the city, spies were sent. Rahab had taken the chance to hide the spies because she had heard of all that God had done for the Israelites and had faith to believe in God and his power.
The second thought was more striking. I realized that I may have other “gods”, but the only difference is that instead of elaborate gold or silver crafted statues of gods and goddesses, mine are faceless.
“To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? -Isaiah 46:5.
Being in an age where technology has become a constant in our lives, my phone has become a god. Similar to many, my mobile devices are in constant use needing to be charged multiple times a day. They are the first things I reach for in the morning and the last things to leave my hands at night.
In this generation, our devices have entrenched us, and we would rather spend 1, 2, or even 5 hours scrolling through social media or YouTube videos, rather than spending time reading His Word or in prayer. While this may be an idol for some, other idols may have taken the spot of God for others such as relationships or jobs. People may center their lives around others, whether family, a spouse, or friends and when these relationships disappoint, people may feel lost.
We have lost our first love by turning our gaze to other gods who have obstructed our vision.
As our hearts are divided between God and our other idols, we can’t find Him and we arouse his anger as well.
Though compassionate and forgiving, our God is also jealous, and He instructs us multiple times to follow him and to worship him alone.
How much more would we be closer to God if we spent our time seeking him over everything else vying for our attention?
”You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”- Jeremiah 29:13
If we sought God with all of our heart, we would find him. However, if we spend our days following our idols, we are left with nothing.
We are told, “When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry all of them up, and a mere breath will blow them away. “- Isaiah 57:13
Nothing in this world that we look to can save us, and all of it is temporary.
Why not then redirect our focus back on the everlasting, constant and unchanging God?
Graceful Strides 