dulled chisels.

all the chisels i've dulled carving idols out of stone.

how do I know if something is an idol?
it can go away!

here's something that has convicted me lately. perhaps you can join in my conviction- it's good for the soul. i was in a prayer service and the teacher spoke about Jesus coming back and prayed that we would yearn for his return. here's the conviction- i think my desire for Jesus' return is dependent upon how things are going for me. ouch.

things are rough and they hurt and it isn't going my way...Jesus come back! come now!

BUT.

i love my job, and my friends! and i'm going home in a couple weeks, and money isn't a struggle right now...and i'm just really excited about things..sooo...maybe now isn't the best time for your return...

YIKES. how else do i know that it's an idol? i don't want to drop it and run to Jesus. a poor comparison...it's like someone you love has moved far away. and they send you a precious gift. and you LOVE this gift. your eyes are fixated upon it. and yet, your loved one has returned! is standing before you! but you don't look up...you're so enamored by the representation of the person you love...but in your foolishness you miss the real deal in front of you.

there is a consistent idol in my life that often pulls me away from my Lord. i often get confused and deceived in thinking that this idol IS my Lord. but it's a broken representation of the real deal. though i have several, the idol I speak of is people. i LOVE people. if you're reading my blog, you already know me..and you already know this about me. i get deceived at times because there is so much goodness in friendship and relationships and we are REFLECTIONS of him, but it's not the real deal. yes...he has made me to love and adore people...but am i ready to drop this precious gift at the moment of his return. or will i run away and hide and say "I don't want to go home yet! I'm having fun playing here!"

oh how foolish a child i am.

here is my current prayer. i want to yearn so badly for Jesus to come back, even on my most happiest and joy-filled days. i even picture my wedding day (don't start any rumors, this is just an illustration!) that if Jesus were to come back...i would drop my bouquet, pick up the train of my dress, and run to him...and not look back. and all the people that i love that fill the church...would be doing the same.

Revelation 21
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall their be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."

why would i think there could be anything better than this?