LITTLE GODS
Today's reading: Judges 17-21

"Micah set up a shrine and he made a sacred ephod and some household idols. Then he installed one of his sons as the priest. In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." Judges 17:5-6 NLT

You wouldn't dare, you say to yourself. Idols? Statues to worship? Never--it's against God's law.

Did you notice what Micah's gods were called? Household idols. House related. Things around the house. Nothing elaborate. Not necessarily made of gold or silver. Things that distracted but didn't really look as sinful as what they were.

Are you still saying you wouldn't? Haven't? Couldn't?

The things I worship do not sit on an altar. The things that draw my attention away from God aren't always flashy. The idols I set up and spend time, effort and money on don't look like what Micah's might have looked like--but it's 2011, after all.

-The cleaners I use to make sure my house shines and looks as much like Sister So-and-So's does.

-The checkbook that I want carry a certain balance, a comfortable balance.

-The extracurricular events that a well-rounded family must be part of.

-The lawn that needs mowing on Sunday, always on Sunday, only on Sunday and every Sunday.

-The computer that steals my time away from beneficial things.

-The issues that I allow to ruin my day of rest and my focus on worship.

I'm going to guess our household gods look alot alike. Sad, isn't it?