iForfeit

Have you ever been in a situation where you were literally clinging to something? Clinging makes me think of livelihood, of existence, of utter need.

A survivalist clings to the branch on the side of the cliff for safety. A high school student clings to a wardrobe for identity. A child clings to a teddy bear for comfort. A lover clings to her significant other for happiness.

We cling to idols for the same perceived reasons. Safety, identity, comfort, happiness. Idols are things that make us feel good, that can provide us with a certain sense of security, a sense of identity, a sense of meaning. Idols are for us, by us. And we cling to them every day.

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." Jonah 2:8

Idols can creep up on us; they can take us by surprise. We can rely on good things for safety, to find our identity, for comfort and happiness. Technology, boyfriends, wives, our job, our status, our friends, our cars, shopping, our preaching abilities, hard work, media, knowledge, Xbox. We as humans have a way of clinging to even the perceived “best” of things; things that couldn’t possibly be idolatrous.

Simple, worldly items and ideals that are “good.”

But the graspable, physical items aren't even the problem; it is the human response that is. When we begin using these items to fulfill needs that only Jesus can fulfill, we start to idolize them. A significant other can be a blessing, a tool, and a helper, but when they become the source of security and identity and they start to become idolized that is when they become "worthless."

And little do we know that we are forfeiting the grace that could be ours. By searching for safety, identity, comfort and happiness in the forms of human idols we are blatantly forfeiting all the grace that God desires to give us. But we refuse to cling to Him, the only thing with the power to truly fulfill and give life. Instead we cling to our own gods, our own ideas of what will provide.

And we forfeit all grace.