Week 3 -An Undivided Heart: What Steals Your Heart?

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Scripture Meditation - Exodus 32

This video was originally created for the season of Lent, but it is just as applicable today.

The idea of worshiping idols seems so primitive. Yet, when I really think about it I realize that there are many things that steal my heart from true worship.

This week’s meditation asks you to consider whether or not your heart is divided and invites God to redirect your desires.

Meditation:

“The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord…” 2 Corinthians 4:4-5a

We are now approaching the church season of Lent, a season of reflection, repentance and spiritual examination…Today, let’s pause to consider the orientation of our hearts as we reflect on the story of the golden calf in Exodus 32.

“When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us a god who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”
2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.”.. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “This is your god, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”…6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward, they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.
19 When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned…
21 He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?” Exodus 32:1-2;5,6,19,21

The notion of images and idols seems so primitive. Yet, when I really think about it I realize that there are many things that steal my heart from true worship. 

Do I place too much importance on needing the latest technology?
Do I need to be right more than I need to be in a relationship?
Do I let my day and my mood be shaped by commentary or my own image on social media?
Am I addicted to working hard in order to prove my worth and my worthiness? Do I skip sabbath rest because I think I am too busy or too essential to stop?
Do I make the opinions of supposed experts and leaders my definitive source for answers instead of going to God in Bible reading and prayer for myself?

I take time now and ask you, God, to examine my heart and show me my idols.

As I listen to the passage again, I confess that I have broken faith, broken trust, and repent for worshiping another. And I pray God for you to refashion my desires according to the better design of Christ’s love. 

“When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us a god who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses, who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”
2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.”.. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “This is your god, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”…6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.
19 When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned…
21 He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?”

Prayer

O Christ, let my life be yours! Take my desires. Let them be subsumed in still greater desire for you, until there remains no room for these lesser cravings. Forgive me for all my misguided worship; renew my focus on you alone. I will praise your name, Lord! Which endures forever, through all generations!

Produced by: Dan ABH
Narration & Script by: Lisa Smith
Music by: Jay Smith www.jmusic.us
References:
1. Lectio 365: https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/l...
2. Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year:
3. https://www.amazon.com/Seeking-Gods-F...
Exodus 32:1-2;5,6,19,21 (NIV); 2 Corinthians 4:4-5a (NIV)