The Lesser ThingsMuestra

I have often found that when one is a caretaker, he or she goes above and beyond for others but then forgets about taking care of themselves. I’m notoriously known for this in my house. I’ll go to the grocery store to make sure everyone has what they want to eat but then when I’m making lunch for everyone, I realize I have nothing that I want to eat. So what do I do? I go for the thing that is closest, easiest, reachable. I go for the carb-loaded snack. I grab a handful of pretzels or a sugary sweet that will keep me energized for the next 10 minutes. I grab whatever is most convenient. 

I’m reminded of the Israelites in the story that you’re going to read in Exodus. Moses goes up to the mountain top to have this amazing experience with God and while he’s away, the Israelites forget about all that God has brought them through. They forget that God has given them their freedom, they forget how God has provided for them and protected them and instead they decide to build a golden calf because they needed something to worship. In a moment of wondering and wandering, of fear that they’ve been abandoned, in desperation, they decide to worship whatever is most convenient. 

God created us with a desire to worship. That’s intentional. But oftentimes, we decide that we want to worship false gods. We build golden calves in His place. Those idols that we build could be a relationship with someone, our children, our social media status, money, fitness, food, our work and achievements. These things in and of themselves are not inherently evil or bad. But when we place these things before God, we’ve given it priority and we begin to worship it in place of Him. We forget to put God in His rightful place in our life.

Maybe this is the time to remember who God has been to you. How He has freed you, how He has provided for you, how He has protected you, how He has sustained you every day up to this point in your life. And how He will continue to do so because it is who He is. It is in His character to continue to be the “God of more” - more than we can ever ask or imagine - even when we’ve chosen less. 

Prayer: God, thank You for being who You are despite the choices I have made. I thank You that You are a good Father who loves me in spite of myself. I pray that You would forgive me for the many times I have built golden calves in Your place. Please open my eyes to see where I may have idols in my life. Lord, I place You back on the throne in my life and I worship You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Worship: Great are you Lord by All Sons and Daughers