Desiring God for God

In his sermon this past weekend, Pastor Steve focused on an interesting and thought-provoking issue: the problem of idolatry.  Both the elder and the younger sons in our Gospel reading were guilty of idolatry.  The sons wanted the father’s “things” and not the father.  Pastor Steve also suggested that you and I can be guilty of idolatry as well.  We can come to church, pray, sing the songs, follow the Ten Commandments, teach Sunday School and confirmation, go to Bible studies... and still be guilty of idolatry.  We want the blessings of the Father like good health, wealth, a good job, thriving kids, a nice place to live and maybe even a “cool” car.  The list is endless.  We want the Father’s things and blessings, rather than merely the Father. 

Do you remember Tevye from the musical and movie “Fiddler on the Roof” ? While he was in the barn one day he prays a prayer asking God for wealth.  I know I’ve asked God for lots of “things” and “needs” over the years, so I can relate to Tevye’s prayer.  

“Oh Dear Lord, You made many, many poor people.  I realize, of course, that it’s no shame to be poor.  But it’s no great honor either.  So would it have been so terrible if I had a small fortune?”  Then he starts to sing a song many of us know well:  “If I Were a Rich Man.”  Watch the video>>

While we may laugh at Tevye’s prayer, I would bet that many of us have prayed a similar prayer asking God for something that we want.

Pastor Steve’s sermon got me to think about my own relationship with God in a new light and to ask a hard question:  Am I guilty of idolatry just like the sons in our Gospel reading were?  Yikes!  Do my prayers seem to be full of “requests” rather than just a “desire” to spend time with the Creator of the Universe?  With my Lord and Savior?  With my Father who calls me His child?  I would have to answer – Yes!  And, I suspect, if all of us were brutally honest, there are times when we ALL ask God for His blessings and for “things” we want.  We desire what He can do for us, but we don’t always desire spending time with God for who He is. 

So today, I would challenge each of us to look at our faith and relationship with God with a fresh set of eyes and a new heart.  What if you and I spent time with God today just because we desired His presence?  What if our prayers were not focused on our wants and needs, but on listening to God and spending time with Him and in His Word?  Perhaps, if we centered our thoughts on God, and our love for Him and Him alone, our hearts might be enlarged and transformed in new ways! 

Pax,
Pastor Carol