no other gods

Ever since I was kid the words of Exodus 20:3 & 4 "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." painted a picture in my mind of idols being in the form of a golden calf or one of the many statues worshiped in the Hindu religion. I guess the kid part of me read this as "you shall not MAKE STATUES".

Over the years I've grown to understand God's full intent with these words. A great article by C.J. Mahaney entitled "The Idol Factory" did a lot to help me grasp my own incredible propensity toward idolatry. I believe that "golden calf statues" may have been the issue for Israel back in the day because clearly that's what they decided to worship.

But what idols am I prone to worship? The good opinion of others? My own comfort? I think spending can even be an idol for me - not so much the STUFF that I get when I spend but the feel-good-ness that comes from shopping.

Someone once defined an idol as anything or anyone we consistently run to for comfort other than God. Guess that makes those "comfort foods" a biggie too!

I desperately want to see the imprint of the holy spirit on my heart and life every day - NOT the imprint of other stuff that I run to looking for a refuge.
Oh Lord, give me feet that run first and fast to you - and a heart that follows quickly.