Monday, 9 December, 2002

This is a part of a series of devotions based on: God Was In This Place & I , i Did Not Know - by Lawrence Kushner



Menachem Mendl writes:

Normally not even an iron barrier can separate Israel from God, but self-love, egotism will drive them apart.

Kushner then comments about idolatry.

Idolatry believes there is a divine Ego that is accessible to human manipulation - not just cajoling, persuasion, or bargaining but actual control. Idolaters infiltrate heaven and remake God into their own images. They become their own gods. Jews tried it once at the very foot of Sinai.



There is such a strong temptation to have life and the things of life go "my way." We even sing about it...base fast food images on it...and base our economy on it. But then there is the temptation to "remake God" so that we now have some divine power behind and at least divine blessing for who we are and what we do. It doesn't take much for us to make ourselves the center of the universe. We can do it in either ways that make us bigger that others...or we can go the other way and become the center of all things by making less of ourselves. In the end, the focus of all things is...me and mine. This is where it is so important to hang around people who will say "baloney" to us. Imagine what would have happened if as they were beginning to spread the word that the people of Israel were going to build a calf out of gold, someone stood up and said, "This is baloney! What will a golden calf bring us out here in the wilderness?" When you think about it. Once the golden calf is built, it now needs people who will be in charge of carrying it...setting it up...enforcing rules about who can touch it...whatever. Idolatry cannot stand waiting for our God for we want our life now...my way.



Connection: So, do you have someone or a group of people who help you keep your ego in perspective? We could all use a community like that.



Lord of all that is and all that will be, we count on the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us faithful and to make our days into a living witness to your gracious reign. When we are tempted to walk away from you and seek out other objects of trust, stir up our hearts to hear your never failing promise to be for us. Amen.