Tag: idol

Freedom (Unreliable Idols Pt. 3)

By Ife J. Ibitayo

This the third article in a series on unreliable idols. For Part 1 on Fame, click here. For Part 2 on Fortune, click here.

Freedom is the bedrock of the United States. From the Declaration of Independence to the Bill of Rights to the Emancipation Proclamation, citizens of the United States have experienced tremendous freedoms, both collective and individual.

As an American nomad, I’ve especially grown accustomed to the free life. I bed down in a location for a few years, accomplish what I’ve come to do, and move on to the next. In the past ten years, I’ve moved five times, and I’ve maintained my freedom: I have no girl back home, no children to return to, no strings attached.

Idol of Freedom

According to dictionary.com, freedom is “exemption from external control”, the ability to do what you want to do when you want to do it. Freedom is a blessing, one that many stuck-at-home mothers are understandably craving right now. But the moment freedom becomes tantamount, it become an idol.

When your own personal freedoms become more important than anyone else’s (eg watching what you want on TV even when it’s inappropriate for your children, eating what you want even when your spouse is concerned about your weight, or working when you want even if it’s inconvenient for your coworkers), you have made your personal good your god and become a slave to your desires.

True Freedom

Living a life dedicated to yourself ultimately leads to death. It will poison your friendships, your marriage, and, ironically, your personal well-being. But living for others leads to life in these same areas (Romans 6:20-22).

I wasn’t completely truthful when I said I have no strings attached. I have family I visit, friends I call, and a community I serve. These connections do drain my resources and restrict the way I live my life, but they give so much more than they take. I would be adrift without them.

Conclusion

A morning spent sleeping in, an afternoon wasted lazing around the house, or an evening devoted to a good movie is not innately sinful. A disproportionate amount of people today are genuinely in need of these things. But we must also remember to play with our children, romance our spouses, and love our neighbors.

Galatians 5:13 says, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Freedom is found in service to others specifically because it frees us from the “tyranny of me”. Selflessness expands our circle of care beyond ourselves and provides us the joy and satisfaction we are truly looking for.

“Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, ‘You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

(John 8:31-32 NLT)

Fame (Unreliable Idols Pt.1)

Tragedy is the hot butter knife of life. It slices through lies and delusions, stopping just short of the heart. The content of those vessels, the idols we build our lives around, will be the topic of my next few articles. They are inspired by the book Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller.

Idol Definition

An idol is anything we rank first in our lives that is not God. It can range from material blessings to cherished relationships or grand ideals. At first blush, building your life around any one of these concepts may not seem like a bad idea. After the boom of Existentialism following World War II, that philosophy became the creed of the land: You live for what you want to live for, and I’ll live for what I want to live for. But this lifestyle will always lead to tragic consequences.

The Idol of Fame

I have always felt the need to be “somebody”. I’m a middle child, and I remember a period of my childhood when my older brother was nearing high school graduation and my younger brother was struggling with elementary school. I felt invisible. I had my own struggles and challenges but no one to share them with. I believe I secretly desire to become so important that that can never happen again.

Many other sources can fuel a desire to be known. Being perpetually passed over for promotions, living in the shadow of a family member, or a supersized ego can all stoke a need to become well-known.

The God of Fame

In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul says the believer is “known” by God (Galatians 4:9). The tremendous power of this statement is often overlooked. Consider how impactful it would be for an aspiring basketball player to be mentored by Lebron James. Their relationship with The King would likely give them security in their skill as a basketball player, no matter what anyone else thinks about them. In like manner, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords knows us.

God’s relationship with us surpasses head knowledge, even mentorship. The Apostle John goes so far as to say that God loves us as “His children” (1 John 3:1). We should rest securely knowing that our number one fan is God Himself!

Conclusion

In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon speaks of a poor, wise man who delivers his besieged city from a great king. But this man is soon forgotten (Ecclesiastes 9:14-15). Like this man, no matter how impactful we are, we will all eventually be forgotten in this world.

However, we will be remembered in the world hereafter, and we will know the audience that has been watching us all this time, just as He knows us.

“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see him as He really is.”
(1 John 3:2 NLT)