What do you value? What do you worship? Websters defines an idol as: a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered.
I had a great conversation with Pastor Thwala about the challenges he has being a Christian Pastor in Africa. There are sangoma (witch doctors), muti healers, a muti market in Durban where you can buy traditional healing animal parts, Shembi religion focused on nature, animals and ancestors.... Pastor has to deal with people who request Christian services like funerals and incorporate traditional ceremonies that idolize false gods. This evening a large group of girls walked by the church singing a beautiful song. Mrs. Thwala explained that they are headed to a Shembi all night church service. Here they are (it's dark but you get the sound).
Then as I start to feel high and mighty- we don't do this in the United States. I start asking myself about what I idolize. I can say there have been many times that I've idolized work, boats, cars, motorcycles... I know that's different from worshipping Shembi religion, but is it really in God 's eyes? Check out this Psalm...
"But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." (Psalm 115:4-8 NIV)
When I think about a personal legacy I'd rather be known for who I serve and support than what I have or have achieved. This verse says it all: "This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23, 24 NIV)
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