Be Present: Choosing gods

Encounter the Word:

“So now: Fear God. Worship him in total commitment. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped on the far side of The River (the Euphrates) and in Egypt. You, worship God.  If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship God.” –Joshua 24:14-15 [Message]

I’m always amused, and slightly irritated, when writers come up with typecasting monikers for young adults, albeit it sometimes earned or appropriate.  The latest one that has popped up in cyberspace is FOMOs [Fear of Missing Out], cited in Rhett Smith’s feature, “Generation Indecision.”   

Smith goes on to say of today’s young adults, “There is a constant feeling in our culture that we might be missing out on something better, therefore, we rarely commit to a decision that we can’t back out of if something better comes along.”

Although I certainly agree that this is generally true, I don’t believe it is especially exclusive to today’s culture.  It seems the children of Israel had the same cultural propensity.  Even the Israelites wanted to "play all their options."

Joshua’s words are just as poignant today as they were in Biblical times, “But suppose you don't want to serve Him. Then choose for yourselves right now whom you will serve.” --Joshua 24:15a [NIV, emphasis added]

Here’s the reality.  Whether we declare it or not: 

 

Every day we choose what or who will be our god. 

Right now, I choose what is first in my life.

Career:  I can sacrifice all other things to climb the ladder to this god.

Causes:  Although well intended, I can make humanitarianism a powerful god.

Cool:  Popularity at all costs.

Competence:  I can impress you with my abilities and skills and personal effectiveness.

Capitalism:  As Donald Trump would say, “It’s just business.”

Cosmetic characteristics:  Radiant skin, vegan-atic, workout junkie, botox groupie, or fashionista--beauty can become queen.

Confidence:  Self esteem can become self absorbing.

There are all kinds of things, attitudes, dreams, and beliefs that I can make into gods by giving them highest priority in my life.  Every day, I choose.

Joshua chose, “As for me and my family, we'll worship God [Joshua 24:15b, NIV].”

May you choose wisely today Who is first in your life.  May you and your family be able to declare, “We are second, we will worship GOD.”

Encounter:

• What can easily take the highest priority in your life if you let it?  What “gods” have you served in the past?
• Right now, who/what do you want to worship?
• How might you express your devotion to Who you are worshiping today? Right now?