I saw tremendous idol worship in my family, when I was growing up, and beyond.
I grew up in a very lower middle class neighborhood, in the Bronx. Many of our parents were 1st or 2nd generation in this country. Our families went ‘check to check’ for the most part. Many lived in apartment buildings. And though most people would not have called it that, idol worship was rampant.
Smoking; drinking; some drugs, later more drugs; gambling; sex; belonging to certain parts of the neighborhood; the corner candy store hangout; your position on the baseball team, and on and on. The concept of God was often very sterile and contained. He was kept on a shelf, neatly and carefully, but not always integrated into people’s moment to moment lives.
I was different than many. My idols were different. I idolized family and relationships, such as friendship and romance. I was very fortunate to idolize them in a very Christian view, and not in a materialistic way…but, still, it was a very real and present danger to my relationship with God. I grew up in a very dysfunctional family, and connecting with people was something I had very little of, and understood even less. I kept myself amazingly busy and very, very well self-directed. I was a very good student. I had many incredibly advanced and complex hobbies. I loved God and always had great faith. I started volunteering regularly at the age of 10. But, I was extremely lonely and neglected and had no social skills.
Still, to this day, if anything will get me into trouble, it will be people. I love them too much.
But, that being said, it is important to note that anything at all, can become an idol. And none of them are any good to have. In God’s eyes, I would guess, they are really all the same. Anything that detracts from our primary relationship with God is not good for us, and needs to be put into its place.
I have learned this well, I believe, and the hard way. Nothing but God can hold the first place in our lives, even for a moment. It is so true that when God is at the center, all orbits correctly. It is a daily, often minute to minute relinquishing of self, and seeking, listening and praying to God. He made us to hear His voice, first and foremost…He is the Good Shepard and we are His sheep, after all. I think it important to remember, too, that God will give us all our needs. We don’t have to go looking for them.
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
And, the Spirit speaks to us; befriends us; explains things to us; reveals mysteries to us; calms our fears; shows us the right path, and on and on. When you are able to get a hold of this, even if the moments of it are fleeting, you are never the same again, and the struggle then begins to get easier, I believe. We are truly transformed, by the grace of the Almighty. It is amazing to watch.
Everyday, we must put on our full armor of God on, and be sure to secure it and keep it on. Dangers lurk everywhere. Idols arise where and when we least expect it.
At the present time, I am battling with the idol of iPhone6S. It connects me with people, you see.
I hope to win this one, very soon. 
D.
