Love God Best
You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. Exodus 20:4
We often hear people lamenting that they don’t have time for daily Bible reading and prayer. They can’t make it to church because of sports and other activities. But it’s really all about priorities. If you have two things you need to do but only time for one of them, you’ll choose the one that is most important to you.
Let me say that again: You will choose the one that is most important to you.
This is what this commandment is getting at. If there is anything more important to you than Jesus, that thing has become an idol.
I don’t mean you can’t ever miss devotions because something unusual happened one day. But as a general rule, if you love God deeply you will make spending time with Him your top priority. You will set time aside and then guard that time carefully.
But here’s the heart of it: You won’t do it because there’s a rule that says you must. You’ll do it because you love God deeply and want to spend time with Him.
If you’ve found it difficult to spend time with God, or find yourself wanting to skip church, ask God to show you if something has become an idol in your life. Sports, music, even sleeping in could hold more of your heart than Jesus.
Once you identify your “idol,” instead of focusing on getting rid of it, focus on loving God more. Ask Him to fill you with love for Him that supersedes your love for any of these other things..
Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38
Keep Seeking the Kingdom!
Heather Penner
Youth Ministries Director
