No Other Gods
By Paul Lu
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3
Since the time we attended Sunday school classes as children, we learned that God loves us very much. Week after week, we learned more about the Bible, and at some point gave our lives to Him as followers of Jesus. We often profess that God comes first in our lives. However, do our priorities show that we indeed put Him at the forefront of our lives?
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3
It sounds simple enough, but what does it really mean? Is it enough that I go to Bible study and attend Sunday service? How much is enough? I think that it is not a matter of deeds, but a matter of the heart.
Our devotion to God is not measured by the church activities we engage in, or even by how much we serve at church. When you have a moment, take a deep breath and quiet your mind. Then ask yourself this question, “Do I love God above everything else in this world?” Give yourself a few minutes to think about it. Reflect upon your life during the past week. How did you spend your time? What things were you preoccupied with? When you woke up every morning, what was the first thought that came to mind? If we are honest, God is probably not at the top of our list. We tend to get busy with practical things like what to eat, what activities to do, what project needs to be done, what to buy next, etc. Since we can’t see God, He is often relegated to certain routines; and these routines make us feel good that we have not forgotten our Christian duties.
Are there “gods” in your life that are taking the place of God? Who do you live for? There are many things in our world that compete for our attention. It is so easy to be distracted by all the “good” things this world has to offer: be the first to get the latest tech gadget, shopping for that outfit that is on sale this weekend, watching that sensational movie that everyone is talking about, spend hours clicking ‘Like’ on people’s Facebook statuses…the list goes on.
If we are serious about putting God first, we will care about our relationship with Him every day. Spend time with Him and listen to Him. See what He wants you to do today. Plan your day with Him in mind. As you go out into the world, don’t neglect the voice of the Holy Spirit, who will guide you to the people who need you. When you come home, don’t go on your computer or turn on the TV. Ask your wife or husband how their day went. Play with your kids and help with their homework. Teach them the ways of the Lord over the dinner table. End the day with heartfelt gratitude that God has blessed you with another day of life.
Intertwine your faith with every aspect of your life. Give your heart to Him today.