Matthew 6:19–20 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you–unless you believed in vain.
1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen
In the previous post, I talked about the void in each of us that causes feelings like a lack of value or rejection. It’s a hole that only God can fill though we try to fill it by numerous ways to our own destruction.
Those things or ways by which we try to fill that void become idols in our lives. For me, my chief idol was trying to be perfect. If I was perfect (by my definitions), then I would have the value I sought and fill that void within me. It was a place of utter bondage, as you can imagine. Yet, all idols are bondage.
An idol is anything we trust in when we should be trusting God. Idols keep us from experiencing God to the extent that He desires and we desire, because we are putting something in a place and role that is meant for only Him. They create barriers to deepening our relationship with Him.
In what ways have you tried to fill that void? What is the driving motive to those ways? That is your chief idol. Turning from that core idol affects all the rest. Everything you do should be driven by the motive love, nothing else. Anything else signifies you are trusting in something else when you should be trusting God.
If we confess and repent of that chief idol and turn to let God fill that place, then He will deliver us from it. God is the deliver, not us. It’s by His strength that we are set free. Our part is to seek to align our will to His in desiring to turn from that dependency and be wholly dependent on Him.
God wants us to live an abundant life of delights in our soul. He is the one to take us there. To come to a point to trust Him enough to let go of all those things we’ve trusted to give us value, we have to deeply know God. Trust is the fruit of knowing, thus seeking God is the foundation to all else. When we seek Him, we will come to know and trust Him. In that trust, we will be able to truly let go. Then, we will discover a freedom, peace, rest and joy that is astounding.
Letting Go
Won’t let go, holding on tight
Until the end, I won’t give up the fight
I strive to be all I can be
Hoping it will make me truly free
Always one more struggle to face
One more issue to unlace
How much longer Lord?
How much longer?
I want to be who you desire
The woman of truth, love and fire
You’re fighting a losing battle, one you can’t win It isn’t your strength to gain, but mine to let in.
In trying to be strong, you block my grace My friend, your running the wrong race
Let go, trust Me, be weak, then you’ll be free
More than you’ll ever need to be free It isn’t found in you, but in Me.
In dependence, you will find A new power of your mind
It’s a paradox for sure Be weak to find the cure
My strength is perfected in weakness Because you trust my infinite greatness
A reservoir for every need without end An endless supply at every bend
You’ll never be without Me, nothing to fear You’re in my hands, close and dear
Don’t trust in your ability Look to the power of the trinity
Trust in Me, rest in Me, be in Me Then you’ll be truly free.
Living Light 