In the mid ’60s I was in my last years of high school and beginning my college career. I remember spending a fair amount of time making sure my Gant shirts blended well with my Botany 500 trousers, that my Wejuns or Collegian shoes were well shined and that my hair was parted evenly and had just the right amount of Brylcream in it. During the late ’60s, styles and my mindset changed, so I devoted my time to dry straight hair, my Chevelle SS396 dating machine, and those gorgeous faces that sat next to me on Friday and Saturday nights. I did my best to keep up with the college courses and not get too distracted, but the world was so big and there was so much to experience.
A bumper sticker that’s been around for years says “He that dies with the most toys, wins!” Our toys are really our idols. They are no different than the idols the Children of Israel worshipped thousands of years ago. They worshipped a molded or carved image. Our society also worships the image we try to create of ourselves. We are taught to promote our own agenda, look out for Number One and sadly we end up believing the hype in our résumés. If I were a scholar, I would give you a dissertation on what the Bible refers to as “the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” Or I could go through each of the “7 Deadly Sins.” However, I will share five things that distracted me most during my young adulthood. This list is not an exhaustive list of challenges I faced, but I hope it gets your thinking process revved up. Some will be more relevant to you than others.
Idol #1 can be riches and all that it provides. There is nothing wrong with having wealth; the problem is what it does to you when once you possess more than you need. Idol #2 can be popularity. Again, there is nothing wrong with being favored. The challenge exists in how you relate to other people once you acquire the power it provides. Idol #3 can be physical strength or beauty. Again, possessing physical prowess is good. The test comes if you decide to use or abuse those assets for your own personal gain. Idol #4 can be knowledge. Now I hear your loud objection, but let me finish. It is not having the advanced degrees or deep expertise about whatsoever that is of concern; rather, it is your mental “position” and how that impacts how you judge others that measure your character. Idol #5 can be your partner and/or family. I know that God says: It is not good for man to be alone,(Genesis 2:18) and I cannot imagine my life without my wife and each of you. However, the question is whether or not your commitment to her, him, or them is one that is balanced and benefits all of those concerned.
God provided all of the above or the ability to attain them for our enjoyment and pleasure. Our challenge is in how we decide to appropriate God’s abundance in our lives. Is it the love in which He gave the gifts or is it what He has given us that we fall in love with? He has given you an adequate supply of all you need. Wanting more than you need destroys the joy which exists in sharing your abundance as well as seeing it being multiplied in others’ lives. That approach reaps rewards that cannot be destroyed. Each of you has developed some balance in your lives. However, never be complacent because it is easy to be distracted from the path you are on. We live in a very loud world constantly in our face telling us what we should want. And yet, we are admonished to Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).
Love, Dad