idols- part two

I'm sure you're wondering what this "idol" theme is all about, and why I'm hooked on it. Well I started a Bible Study with an amazing group of incoming college freshman girls, and we're going through the study called No Other Gods by Kelly Minter. This study is rocking my world and bringing to lights things the Lord has been trying to whisper to me for some time now. I love learning and sharing. So here's my latest find--


1 Samuel 8: 1-22.
This story is about Israel's elders who desperately wanted a king to rule their nation (because "all the other nations had them"). Mistake number one, we should not desire another person's lot. Samuel sought the Lord for His guidance, as to whether or not he should grant his people's request, and the Lord replied that these people have rejected Him as their King, they are forsaking him and serving other gods. But the Lord said, go ahead, give them what they want but what that King brings will not be good (followed by a lengthy paragraph of all the accompaniments of a new King). The Lord even warns them that once all these devastation's are unleashed, they will cry out for relief, but He will not answer them. Samuel, offering these people vast grace, relays the message the Lord gave, hoping that they would heed caution. Not to our surprise, these people insisted that their plans were far better, and demanded a King. Samuel finally listens, and we can assume that the Lord followed through with his word.

It amazes me how stubborn we can be when we have our minds made up! The Israelites, God's chosen people, were so concerned about who was leading them and who they would be identified with that they lost sight of who they were, and what all they had. They were willing to risk all that the Lord had for them for the sake of normalcy and mediocrity.

Look at our culture, this environment where we are taught that identity is not in our individuality or in Christ, but rather in something or in someone. I'll speak on behalf of women for this issue, since I can relate to what we think, feel, and desire. I acknowledge that it is a huge struggle for us to not be consumed by relationships and our future. To not associate our value in who's hand we're holding or how many kids we've raised. My observances tell me that ever since we were little we have had the continual pressure of being prepared to marry and mother. How often were we encouraged to find our identity in Christ and in Christ alone? When was the last time you were told to allow yourself to be molded into the woman the Lord has called you and designed you to be? I would assume it's been a while. We, I believe, are called to find our completeness and our wholeness in Christ, as a single. So that when He graciously brings our "prince" along, we are fully prepared to engage relationally and offer Him our complete self (complete in Christ, as a mature & zealous Christian). Please see my heart and my pure motive, I hope this paragraph does not send ANY feminist vibes. I just feel strongly that in order to one day have a thriving and Godly relationship that we have to own these and conquer our insecurities, and boys, in the long run, it will help you out too!