"American Idol"

American Idol is one of the most popular reality shows that’s viewed weekly.  If you’re not familiar with the show, let me explain…the contestants compete against each other with eliminations each week.  They all are hoping to be the last one standing to be bestowed with the title, “American Idol.” 

Have you ever thought about that title?  The person with that title will be the “Idol” of all Americans –well the Americans who tune in and vote.  That winner, the “American Idol,” will be someone who is admonished, adored, applauded, and even worshipped by most.  They are given special privileges and rights because of their title as “Idol” and we continue to applaud them even though they have no clue who we are individually.  The “Idol” doesn’t know us personally even though we worship them and buy their albums.  What is the benefit, then, to believing in and worshipping an “Idol”?

How about another type of idol?  I’m not talking about the show “American Idol,” I’m talking about the term idol defined as:

idol |ˈīdl|

noun

an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship.

• a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered

In Genesis chapter 31, Rachel is leaving her father’s household with her husband Jacob and her sister Leah to travel home.  Just before she leaves, she decides to take her father’s household gods and hide them.  Here is an excerpt from my book, “Path of the Blessing”:

   Rachel and Leah agreed that they should do whatever God tells them to do and Jacob then leaves with everything he had accumulated to go back to his father Isaac.

   While leaving, Rachel steals her father’s household gods.  Now why in the world would Rachel feel that she needed to bring in some false gods into her life right after she has just witnessed how the Lord has been providing for her abundantly?  But this happens all the time in today’s world.  Right after experiencing a blessing from God on their path, many choose to go back to cling to the false gods of their past. 

   It’s hard to let go, and move forward onto an unknown path, and the false gods that used to bring comfort, are beckoning for us to return to them.  That comfort can come in the form of alcoholism, drug abuse, food addiction, deception, controlling attitudes, people pleasing instead of God pleasing, vanity, isolation, pornography addictions, self-pity, lying, astrology and so on.

   Rachel’s faith was wavering on her path, returning to the gods of her past and bringing them along on the journey ahead was a bad move and this was causing her to slip a little on her path of blessing.

Today we are the same as Rachel was thousands of years ago; struggling to let go of our idols.  What have you made and American Idol in your life?  What have you given special rights and privileges to that aren’t benefiting you? Are you ready to let go?

Here’s my challenge to you~

Let those false gods of safety, security and comfort stay behind as you move forward on your path of blessing; deepening your relationship with the One True God all the more.  Take a moment and write down what those false gods are in your life that you need to let go of, then throw that paper away!  Get a fresh start on a new path!