The Sheer Sweetness of Smashed Idols: Why I Marvel at God's Chosen Fury
Okay, friends, let's talk about something that’s been really resonating with me lately: smashing idols. Not literally, of course, unless you've got some old garden gnomes that have been getting a little too uppity in your flowerbed. I'm talking about the spiritual kind. The things that creep into our hearts and steal the spotlight away from God. You know, those shiny things we obsess over – the stuff we might even *think* is good, but it becomes *too* good, a barrier between us and Him.
I’ve been reflecting on the passages in the Bible where God commands the Israelites to tear down pagan altars and smash idols. It seems so, well, *intense*, right? Like in Deuteronomy 7:5, it says, "But this is how you are to treat them: Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols in the fire." Whoa. But the more I meditate on it, the more I see the sheer, raw, beautiful, *sweet* love behind that command. It’s not about God being some raging tyrant, but about His fierce protectiveness and His desire for our absolute devotion.
It’s like, think about when you’re cleaning out your closet. You might have that one shirt you used to love, but it’s worn, a little stained, and it just doesn't fit anymore. You’ve gotta let it go. You wouldn't keep holding on to it just because it was good *once*. The same goes for spiritual idols. They might’ve once seemed appealing or even helpful, but if they're not leading you closer to God, they’ve gotta go. I had a real epiphany about this recently.
For the longest time, my "idol" was achievement. I was always chasing the next promotion, the next award, the next level in my career. It consumed me. I worked late, stressed constantly, and honestly, barely had time for anything else, including God. I convinced myself I was doing it all for my family, but deep down I knew I was chasing after that fleeting feeling of accomplishment, and the approval of others. It felt good, in a twisted way. I mean, it's natural to want to succeed, right?
Then, I read Hosea 10:2, “Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their sacred stones.” It was like a splash of cold water to the face. My “career altar” was the thing making my heart deceitful, distracting me from what really matters. And just like God told the Israelites, He had to start breaking that down in my life. It started with a pretty major project failure at work, then some seriously stressful times, and it culminated in me being passed over for a promotion I really wanted.
At first, I was crushed, bitter even. But then I started praying, and I felt this weird sense of peace settle over me. It was like God was saying, “Hey, you’re looking in the wrong direction.” It was a powerful, and weirdly freeing, experience. That project fail and lack of promotion became my 'smashing of idols'. He wasn't punishing me, he was redirecting me. That’s the sweetness, right there.
Now, I try to be really intentional about identifying anything that might be taking God's place. My phone, the news, even my workout routine – if it's becoming an obsession, it needs to be checked. It doesn't mean these things are bad, but I need to keep them in their place. And truthfully, this makes my life so much more fulfilling. I’m less stressed, more focused, and closer to God. It’s really amazing.
This isn't a call to go on a literal smashing spree – don't take a hammer to your TV or your laptop. What it means is that we should constantly be asking ourselves: what are the subtle things that are pulling my heart away from God? What am I placing my trust in, instead of Him? How can I, with God’s help, smash those idols and embrace the freedom that comes from truly putting Him first?
So, friends, what idols are lurking in your heart that need a little demolition work?