The Idol of Self

Last Thursday the Blue Angels came screaming by our home as they always do in preparation for Fleet Week. As they flew over I could hear the kids at the school across the street start chanting: "Blue Angels, Blue Angels." As if their words could be heard over the F/A-18 Hornet engines as they flew by at 1,200 miles an hour. It was a display of raw power created by human ingenuity and skill. It provoked a sense of awe and wonder by young and old alike.

Then the next day I was invited to the Presidents Cup by John Calhoun. I had never been to a professional Golf Tournament and have only played a couple of times. John however is a huge fan and I was looking forward to an afternoon with a seasoned pastor and a friend so we headed down to Lake Merced. Not only were we not allowed to use our cell phones we were not even allowed to possess them. So we were on the course with our total focus on the best golf players in the world. It was the US vs. the International Community sans Europe. It was a spectacular sporting event. We cheered, ooed and aaawed as players hit the ball hard, straight, far and with touch. We watched a chip from the rough that went into the hole and the crowd went crazy. Literally, thousands of people followed around the players in the hopes of witnessing history.

Then Saturday arrived with bad weather, that grounded the Blue Angels, and the golf game ended Sunday and the immortals became mortal as they packed up their bags and went back to their homes where they were husbands, sons and fathers. Those who flew high were now grounded, those whose crowds cheered were back to being regular men.

We constantly look for things to worship and admire. When the only true place our need to worship can be satisfied is at the altar of God our Creator.

Worship is what we are created to do. We were created to be in relationship with our Creator. The basis of that relationship is worship. We have difficulty worshipping at times because we place our hearts in other areas. There is nothing wrong with loving powerful planes and great skill at any task. The problems arise when we take that admiration to worship. When we make worship the creation and not the creator as Paul says in Romans. The way of Jesus is allow no other to be worshipped but Him. As we follow his example when he was tempted, "Worship, the Lord your God, and serve Him only", I am reminded to follow Jesus' example.

That was easy to do on Tuesday. As the rains fell and the winds howled almost shutting down our city, I was reminded that God is God and I am not.