Have you ever built an altar and compromised it with an idol? I know what on earth does an alter or an idol have to do with anything in our lives today. Let me put it to you this way, have you ever done something so fulfilling but then you looked around at what others were doing and you no longer felt fulfilled? It left you feeling inadequate, unproductive, and less then. As an entrepreneur and a person who cannot go a day without doing something creative I sincerely struggle with this.
In today’s society, alters we build are things that are of true value and purpose. Examples of this can be when you set aside time to spend with your family. But it’s sacrificed when you go on social media and start comparing your relationships to that of others. Suddenly you are not content. Maybe you’re passionate about your job or your career. You set up new challenges for yourself and you’ve accomplished things with a newfound courage. Eventually this leads you to becoming competitive and the joy is lost from the passion you once had. Maybe you have a hobby and you’ve enjoyed it for yourself and you’ve shared it with your close family and friends, but now you find yourself seeking approval from others. The desire you had to create has now been stolen by the need for approval. These are alters that have been compromised with an idol. Idols of comparison, competition, and approval. The alter that seems to be compromised the most easily in my life, is the time I want to spend with God. It gets compromised by distractions.
We all start our day off with good intentions and then at the end of the day when our head hits the pillow and all we can think about is what we want do tomorrow because we’re not content about what we did today. So what do we do? How do we prevent ourselves from compromising? How do we recognize our first thought before compromising?
Here’s what I have recently learned that helps me with this daily struggle. I’ve made a list of things that will really matter to me in years to com. Then I made a list of things that won’t really matter to me in years to come. I put that list somewhere I will see it often. I love Crayola window markers, I love writing reminders like this on my bathroom mirror. Now when you start your day, make sure your daily goals and long term goals line up with what really matters. If you start to feel yourself comparing, competing, seeking approval, or dealing with an overwhelming scehdule, check your list. I bet if you’re like me, that list is short. There are very few things that are really going to matter in years to come.
Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.
Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. ~ Psalm 119:1-3, 35
Busyness can compromise our beliefs and behaviour.
Don’t compromise by comparing.
Approval never appeases.
I hope you find the rhythm in the random of your day today,
Chantal Dube