What Gets in the Way

Last week during a devotional, a group of us were asked to write down things we love.  There was time to consider on how much we loved these 'things' and then were asked about our love for God.  Was there anything on our lists that we loved more than God?  Did anything on that list get in the way of loving God?

I have been thinking about how this could be done in a lesson form to discuss idolatry.
So let's do a little trial run with this idea....
  List 10 of your favorite things. 

 To make it easier fill in the 10 slots: 
     my favorite
            food    __________     place to go  __________    
           hobby   __________    clothing      __________     accessory    __________
           object   __________     feeling        __________     experience __________
           other    __________     anything     __________
 
So what did you put down? 

Coffee or pizza?     Grandma's house or the beach?     Biking or crafts?

  A blue dress or a silk tie?     A gold watch or pearl earrings?     Your laptop or comfy recliner?

  Joy when a puppy wags its tail or the good tired feeling after a hard day's work?


  The first time you tried something new or the fun of riding on a roller coaster?

  Or anything else that may go into a favorite category.....how much do you love these things?


Now consider the question.....do any of these things get in the way of your relationship with God?


Our electronic 24/7 world does not easily give us time to pause.  Our worship times may be rushed as to get on to the next event.  We schedule in the important events of life, yet can be unwilling to schedule in time for fellowship with others of faith and with God. 


Life is hard and busy and that time for pausing, praying, and worshiping gets swept aside.


We are at the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent, as we prepare for the resurrection morning at Easter.  There should be time taken to wander through this week, on our journey of faith.


It is not a time to rush through a Maundy Thursday service to get back in time for the next life event.


It is a time to pray, to praise, to remember what God has done for us, the sacrifice Jesus has made for us, the glory that shines through the Holy Spirit which reaches into each of our lives.


Pause this week, put things aside this week, pray this week, and travel on the journey to a hope filled Easter morning!