Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

You have seen it on television or maybe even experienced it in real life when someone says, “You need to dress nicely when you go before the judge.” The reason I make this comment is to highlight a word in the verse from the book of Exodus. That word is – before. I know that this verse might sound like it means ahead of, but the word -before- in this verse means in the presence of or in opposition to God. “You shall not have any gods in the presence of the Almighty!” That is my paraphrase of it.

Today I ask myself, “What if I placed God in the top spot in my life and laid everything else down that took me away from serving Him? What if God was number one and there was no number two?”

We, in our civilized American culture, generally don’t dabble with statues and images of mythical gods. However, I think this verse applies quite well since what is being spoke of here is simply “idolatry.” Sometimes it is beneficial to go to our old trusted resource Webster to give us a clearer understanding of a word.

Idolatry: 1. The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God. ~ 2. Excessive attachment or veneration for any thing, or that which borders on adoration.

What this verse is saying to me is this… “Hey, nothing can come into my life that will take away from my adoration of God.” So today I think of some “what if” statements…

• What if… I shut off the television and gave my time to Him?
• What if… I found my pleasure in God rather than the praise of men?
• What if… I decided to pursue God as hard as I pursue my business deals?
• What if… I boasted over the things of God and not my accomplishments?
• What if… I adored God rather than idolize my favorite sports figure?
• What if… God took first place in my marriage and family?
• What if… The things that consumed me were the things of God?
• What if… I placed nothing else before serving God?

What would my life look like if I lived like this? What could I do in and through the power of the Holy Spirit if I simply surrendered to Him? I’m not talking about working harder or doing more, rather, simply surrendering to the lead of Christ and stepping out in faith to place the God of the universe in the proper place in my life. Pruning from my life the things that have become idols and keeping the will of God in the forefront of all that I do.

Lord, I want to serve you with all my heart. I desire to have a life that is hidden in Christ and lived as though eternity really matters. Help me to have the faith and the courage to set aside all those things that keep me from fully serving you. Amen…