Advent 2020 – All Who Make Idols
Based upon: Isaiah 44.9-23.
By Noah, Children’s Council Member – Please Share Widely
Text from YouTube Captions
my reflection is based on a reading from
the book of Isaiah chapter 44 verses 9 to 23
this region talks about those who make and worship idols
and how foolish this is we hope we all have needs and wants
we are all busy people who will often need things to help us get through each
day.
where we turn for this help determines
what kind of person we are in the eyes
of god
if we turn to turn to god to meet our
needs then we are
good we are Christian but if we turn
away from god
and seek otherwise to have our needs met
then we become idol worshipers
someone who is adoring something other
than god
an idol can be anything we value more
than god
when we think about idols most of us
will think back to the scenes with the
Israelites and their golden calf
but idols can just be anything that
we make more important than god
today this could be our phones computer
games
or our desire to make more money or even
saving and then spending all our money
on new things like
the new ps5 so that we look good in
front of our friends
other examples of idols can include
our careers money relationships hobbies
sports and entertainment some things we
idolize are obviously simple but
most often the things we idolize can be
good such as food
relationships or careers
idolatry takes many forms for example
some people find meaning and importance
in the in life from their job
perhaps they have an important title
such as principal or director
the title makes them feel good the title
makes them feel important
and that they matter they have a sense
of belonging the person might spend
long hours at work to maintain their
position they might
they might even lie or deceive to keep
their position
sometimes the person will neglect their
family because
their position at work is more important
than being a parent
another example of idolatry is someone
who finds
joy and happiness in technology
they enjoy spending all their time on
their phones their computer games
or gaming consoles they are at their
happiest when they have the latest and
greatest devices
that they are happy because they can
show off what they own and how well the
how well they play certain games they
enjoy a sense of success
because because they just can see what
they do
and how they perform in their favourite
games or how many
followers they have on Snapchat
instagram and tick tock
those who worship god find a purpose and
meaning in
life serving god they are not bothered
about what title they have at work or
how many followers
they have on social media so as long as
they do work that is pleasing to god
god is their boss and they are happy and
content with obeying him
those who worship God are happy with
what they have
they thank god that their needs are met
and that they don’t need to find their
happiness impersonal
success or social media for them a
Christian turns to god and knows all of
their needs are met
by him and i an idol worshiper does not
look look to god but they look elsewhere
and have their needs met
people are either a follower of god or
an idol worshiper
there are no other alternatives
let us pray oh lord
help us to trust you with our decisions
and our futures
let us lean on you will let us lean on
you with all our heart
instead of relying on you with our own
imperfect understanding
and your and looking elsewhere to
fulfillment
give us clear guidance in our lives as
as we submit to you let us know that you
will direct our paths
so that we have can have confidence that
your direction is
always the best way to go amen