Navigating life in this world means we must participate to some degree in the things of this world. And we have much freedom to do just this. But we must not let this freedom distract us from our fundamental allegiance to God – making false gods of the people and things of this world.
For instance, we’re free to work in many different environments and God often uses our jobs to bless us and provide us with what we need. But we’ve gone too far when we’ve made an idol of our work – looking to it more than God for our provision.
And the same is true relationally. We all have a basic human need for connection. And we only frustrate ourselves when we over-spiritualize this and assume we don’t need flesh and blood interactions in this life. But our need for relationships doesn’t make it okay to put our relationships on a pedestal – looking to them to perfectly satisfy our souls in ways only God can.
Likewise, as citizens of human government, we have a duty and responsibility to actively engage in various governmental processes – and even fight for those issues that allow us to live quiet and peaceable lives. But it’s a mistake to look to this government or our elected officials as our ultimate saviors.
Of course, it’s only natural to hope for particular outcomes in this life, and to be disappointed when these don’t happen. But the true allegiance of our heart is exposed when this disappointment turns into despair. We lose hope when the false gods we’ve erected let us down.
To be sure, it takes much wisdom and discernment to freely engage the things of this world without making them idols. But this is our best path forward.
In the end, work, love, play, vote – freely participating in the things of this world without guilt. But keep them in their proper place and don’t allow them to become false gods in your life.
Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash
