Acts 17:16 (NIV)
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.
Two questions come up for me in this passage, one more obvious than the other:
1. What “idols” do I still have in my life that either draw me away from OR limit my relationship with Papa?
2. Am I “greatly distressed” to see my city filled with idols? Am I even a little “distressed” over it? Does it really even bother me?
If I am honest about answering that, I have to lean to the latter of the second question. “Evangelism isn’t my gift,” has always been my excuse and has always soothed my conscience. I believe God has called some, and gifted them accordingly, to a life of intentional evangelism; those such as Billy Graham and numerous other evangelists. But God has called each one of us to a life of evangelism, not only by our lifestyle but by word of mouth. Ephesians 4:5-6 says “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” In that verse alone is “act” (living) and “conversation” (speaking) that is to draw people to Christ and tell others about the hope that is within us. In that reasoning alone, I should be at least a little bothered at the idols in my community.
However, as I grow closer to my heavenly Father and fall more in love with Him, what should really break my heart about the idols in my land is the fact that something OTHER than my Papa is getting worship, praise and adoration from the people in my city. This should cause me “great distress” as Paul felt in Athens.
It is a poor analogy, but we (our culture, our society) gets so worked up about who gets how many “votes” on American Idol (interesting name, huh?) when we should be much more worked up about who is getting praised and worshipped. We, as a culture, get distressed when our favorite “idol” gets voted off the show. Do we feel “greatly distressed” when our Father gets “voted off” the hearts of our city and community?
This is really giving me a new perspective and viewpoint on evangelism. What if my evangelism (again, not my spiritual gift – but still my responsibility) was from the perspective of amassing as much worship and praise for my heavenly Father from as many people as I could get to worship Him? What if it was about getting all the people in my community, my sphere of influence, to put aside their idols and worship the ONLY one worthy of worship. All of a sudden, evangelism isn’t about saving people, but about worshipping God just BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY!!
Papa,
I thank you for your Word. I thank you for Your truth. Search my heart, O Lord, and see if I have anything that I’ve set up as an idol that draws me away from you. Show me anything that limits my relationship or hinders my growth an any way from You. Clean out all the rocks, pebbles, grains of sand that slow down the flow of your Spirit in me. Break my heart, O God, for your people. Strengthen me to live a life that draws people to you THAT YOU MAY BE WORSHIPPED! I love you. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Running After Papa…