Another functional idol: People-gods

Truth, with a capital “T,” and idols are polar opposites. I love pondering Truth, and I often fall into idolatry. Idolatry is so much easier than Truth, you know? Kelly Minter (2007) challenges me to consider functional idols (or gods) in my life. These are areas of life that consume me; yet, these areas are not necessarily bad. They are certainly not "big sins" on the worldly sin scale.

I have listed some of my functional gods in previous posts: materialism, perfectionism…. Today Minter (2007) pulled out another dozy: “people-gods.” Oh dear, do we have to go there? Is it necessary?? I love relationships! I love deep, trusting relationships. I LOVE to laugh in relationship. What could be wrong with relationships? How do people become gods?

I remember a significant period in my life when I found great security in friendship, and particularly in having a boyfriend. It was a L-O-N-G time ago, but it is quite fresh in my memory. During that life season, if I was dating, then I felt secure. Similarly, if I held an important position, then I felt secure – particularly if the position signified that I had been chosen. In short, PEOPLE qualified my security level, and I relied on God to fill in the gaps, and/or clean up the messes.

While convenient, addictive, and sometimes fun, people-gods are also a source of insecurity, jealousy, and deep hurt. On the other hand, Godly relationships are a source of maturity, fulfillment, love, provision, and, yes, pain. As Minter (2007) describes, to have both people-gods and Godly relationships is to be double-minded. People-gods are idols, and idols leave less room for God. The ultimate point of life is to know God more fully, and to allow His transformative Truth complete authority within us, so that our lives may reflect His glory, and draw others to Him. In attempting to live double-minded lives, we are diluting His Truth, and His transformative power. The result is a powerless religion that turns people away from God and into themselves.

Hmmm, interesting stuff to ponder....

Am I Peculiar?

I remember a Sunday morning service during my childhood like it was yesterday. A missionary family was visiting our church, and they were standing in front of the congregation. They looked peculiar. For some reason, I remember watching this family, and feeling sorry for their peculiarity. Strange memory to hold for all these years, isn't it?

Perhaps this memory symbolizes something within me that I have attempted to avoid throughout my life. I love up-to-date clothing, home decor, activities, books, technology, thinking.... I don't want to be considered peculiar! Kelly Minter (2007) has challenged me to reconsider peculiarity and identity. Since I am interested in identity formation - this is reflected in my academic and professional pursuits, as well as my introspective nature - this challenge peaks my attention. Minter writes:

Who wants to be a peculiar person? Somehow it was always the extremely out-of-touch individual who was elevated to a super-holy states.... Weird somehow meant holy (p. 36).

Then in 1 Peter 2:9-12:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Based on these verses, Minter (2007) invites us to view peculiarity as goodness - as in a fruit of the Spirit. "The extreme goodness of our lives is the peculiar part. Goodness should be setting us apart in distinctive ways" (p. 38). She goes on to provide another quite profound point:

Fulfilling our sinful desires (that which is the opposite of goodness produced by Godly obedience) will snuff out this burning goodness. By indulging them we actually become the reverse of peculiar and strange. We become -- hold your breathe -- normal. For those of us seeking individualism and distinctiveness, chasing our lusts will only make us like everyone else, with little identity at all (p. 39).

I easily identified three sinful desires that keep me from displaying my identity in Christ: Materialism, recognition, and perfectionism. I don't want to be "normal" with no distinctive identity in Christ. I want to embrace every opportunity possible to know Him and be like Him for the purpose of giving God fame in this world. The three aforementioned desires are me-centered, and they are each very normal in our culture. I am not satisfied with this kind of normalcy....

In the end, I am finding that peculiarity really is my goal!

Minter, K. (2007). No other gods: Confronting our modern-day idols. Nashville: Lifeway.

P.S. If you have a teen girl that needs some inspiration in Godly peculiarity, I highly recommend Robin Jones Gunn's Christy Miller Series and Katie Weldon Series. Christy and Katie call themselves "peculiar treasures" while pursuing Godly relationships throughout adolescence and young adulthood.

As it turned out....

Ruth 2:1-3 (NIV)

"Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, 

from the clan of Elimelech, a man of standing, 

whose name was Boaz.

And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi,

'Let me go to the fields and 

pick up the leftover grain 

behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.'

Naomi said to her, 'Go ahead, my daughter.' 

So she went out and began to glean in the fields

behind the harvesters. 

As it turned out, 

she found herself working in a field 

belonging to Boaz, 

who was from the clan of Elimelech."

 Based on these verses, Kelly Minter writes, "It is my hope that we walk away with a heightened sense of what God is doing all around us, even in the seemingly mundane; and that we remember how purposeful He is, how intently He carves our paths, authors each stroke, and weaves our courses into others' lives" (Minter, 2009, p. 51).

As we close this chapter of our lives in Mount Vernon, Ohio, I can't help but reflect on the paths God carved for us here. He gifted us with some beautiful friendships and sweet memories - in the midst of daily living which sometimes felt mundane. Now as this season is ending, and as we say our good-byes, I see the hand of God more clearly. As it turns out, He gave us more in Mount Vernon than I realized during our  day-to-day living. I am sad to leave, but I also know that God is working forward - already carving new paths. 

He sees; He knows; He understands. 

He prepares; He protects; He provides!

Minter, K. (2009). Ruth: Love, loss, & legacy. Nashville: Lifeway.

Longing for an Invite

"We all deeply long to be 'invited to the table'"

(Minter, 2009, p. 76).

This is a KEY FACTOR in my personal insecurities. Belonging to something worthy of pride can drive me, and so can being considered a valuable member of a team. I long to experience acceptance for my abilities and contributions. It feels blessed to be chosen.

BUT....

God must be the driving force. If He is not, then belonging, value, and acceptance become idols. These idols may be functional, but they do not truly satisfy! Idols keep us from fully experiencing God.

I am 40 years old, and I am preparing to begin my first "career job." It will be tempting for me to tie my identity to my title. O Lord, keep me from that sinful desire! Do whatever it takes to remind me that my identity is in You alone. Amen.

Behind the Scenes

"God was working something out for Naomi.... 

He had long been working behind the scenes" 

Ruth: Loss, Love, & Legacy, by Kelly Minter, p. 43).

Isn't this what we long for? Someone working for us behind the scenes.... It is what God does, but do we really believe it? Do we pursue life according to this kind of Truth? I say that I believe it... but my fears and insecurities often tell another story!

As we are transitioning to Idaho, a part of our plan is for Steve to pursue a job that gives him the flexibility he needs to spend more time with our boys. The concept sounds great, but as we approach the actual move, my fears are pushing Steve to find any kind of job. He just smiles at me.... There is nothing like change to reveal the inner person!!

Dear God, help me to live Proverbs 3:5!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

Lean not on your own understanding.

Freedom is more satisfying than snacks and sweets!

"It's easy to kid ourselves

 and justify our behavior

 when our hearts

aren't really committed to God"

(Minter, 2009, p. 26).

I am using food as an example of life issues with which I wrestle these days. It is not that food is my only life issue, but it is an appropriate one to share in public. Believe me, I have other areas to apply God's work in my life!

Here is another Minter quote that stopped me short:

"When we grasp His love and the truth that obedience is for our freedom, we will change our circumstances to protect our environment to obey" (p. 26).

I can relate this idea to several areas of life right now.... For me to eat healthy, I can not even have one bite of snack food and dessert. For me, one bite shoots me down a road that I have very hard time controlling. I have to keep a distance in order to obey.... Might that appear legalistic to some? Yes. Do I understand myself better than they do? Yes. Do those people have the power to rescue me when I feel gross and my pants don't fit? No.

Freedom is much more satisfying than snacks and sweets!

Minter, K. (2009). Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy. Nashville: Lifeway.

Food & Function, Hmm....

I am going back and forth between my previous Bible study and my current one.... Makes me feel schizophrenic! Today I am reflecting on Ruth: Loss, Love, & Legacy, but also including elements of No Other Gods (both by Kelly Minter). I read the following during Lent 2010:

Obedience to God is often wrought with a slew of obstacles that persuade us to change our minds.... Obedience might mean having to make the same choice several times in a week, month, or year (p. 24, emphasis mine).

Wow! Isn't that the Truth? This hit particularly close to home during Lent because of the tradition in giving something up for the season. Honestly, I have never been really serious about giving things up for Lent. My hesitance comes from my desire to avoid spiritualizing food; however, my heart is changing as I better understand addictions and functional gods.

Food for me is a functional god. I need it to sustain me, and it is inherently a good thing, but I use it to fill needs beyond what is healthy. When I refuse to say, "No." to more than I need, then I am plagued with either guilt, or discomfort. From there, my physical and emotional health is in jeopardy. Satan loves this god within me, darn it!

Ruth's response defines "the art of prolonged obedience" (p. 24) - a great example to follow in the midst of addressing addictions and functional gods. Naomi attempted to persuade Ruth to stay home. Ruth faced a decision involving obedience that necessitated persistence - not an easy place to be in life! God is showing me that food is the functional god to address with Him right now. It is in my face nearly 24/7. It is a typical life issue that requires persistent decisions over time. As I give it God, I am in a great position to mature in terms of obedience. In facing this idol, I am depending on God for guidance and strength more than any other area in my life.

Another functional god of mine, for another blog day, is CONTROL! Yikes!