worshipping What we've made

When we read about "idols," our minds may jump back to the days of people bowing down in front of huge statues or praying to golden images. We assume we are "in the clear" and exempt because we no longer have these types of idols. For the people that have gone to church or youth group, we may have learned more about what idols are. We might be able to point out a couple of our big "strongholds" that stand  in between us and growing more intimately with God.


I am reading through Isaiah, and while I read the introduction my Bible gives, I am definitely no scholar. I pray that God will help me interpret what He wants me to gain from reading this book. The Word of God never returns void.
The first couple chapters were a wake-up call to the idol I have made of my work.


I have done studies before on strongholds with Beth Moore, and I have realized that our "idols" can change. We destroy some just to build up others.

A stronghold is anything that exalts itself, or pretends to be bigger or more powerful than God. It steals much of our emotional and mental energy. (Beth Moore)

For me, it started out with alcohol and drugs, then turned to the gym and fitness, and now the Lord opened my eyes to the idol of my work. I LOVE my job. I could spend HOURS and HOURS editing, branding, figuring out new technology, blogging, shooting, perusing new equipments and the latest software, or even just finding inspiration online.

I can get in this mode where if anything "interrupts" me and my work, I get really angry. I seem to never have enough hours in a day to get things done. With a baby and a husband and a basically work-from-home environment on the backend of photography, it is really hard to balance house work, family time, and career.

I read the other day in Isaiah chapter 2 v8 "Their land also is full of idols; the worship the work of their own hands."

Maybe I don't carve and hammer and melt gold to create the idol I imagine in Isaiah's time, but God definitely opened my eyes to the worship of the work I create with my own hands-- camera, photoshop, lens, equipment, poses, etc. I get consumed with site stats and user interaction, that I often give praise to the "image" instead of GOD.

After I read a couple of these old testament chapters, I was in awe of God's reminder that He should be given the glory. He has given me the talent, the ability, the supportive husband and family, the time, the energy, the money, the knowledge and this business should be solely based on lifting HIM up. It was a good reminder that this is not MY business, it's God's. I have to learn balance. I have to put my family first. I have to use my career as my ministry. I have to surrender this passion and let God be my ULTIMATE passion. I have to learn to say no, to turn off the clock, to step away and to give God control.