Handcrafted Idols




Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen….Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling form a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window…. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me. Hosea 13:2-6

Idolatry seems ridiculous. How could anyone take a piece of silver and create a god? But as read this chapter, I realize I’m no different than these Old Testament craftsmen.

I’m finishing a large writing project. It’s taken years of commitment and tedious work. Often I journeyed through that writing wilderness where nothing of substance flowed onto the page. Dry. Barren. Unfruitful. And now when I’m nearing completion of this project, when God is finally leading me out of the desert of blank pages, I’ve almost stumbled. For it is in this moment of almost-victory when I am tempted to worship what has been given me, to take pride as if I had accomplished it on my own.

Even a well-crafted story can become an idol. Cleverly written passages, twisting plots, interesting characters, beautiful phrases—all can be become prideful things, idols to be worshipped. Like a mist, chaff blown away, escaping smoke, the words will mean nothing if my heart is not right. God gave the idea and the words; all glory belongs to Him.

Return O Israel, to the Lord your God. ….Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: forgive all our sins, and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Hosea 14: 1-3

I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me. Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. Hosea 14:8b-9a

Lord, Help me not to stumble during this last stretch of my writing project. You’ve blessed me with the idea, given me the words to put on the page. You’ve guided me every step of the way. Without you, I could not have done it. Now I ask that you remove any false pride that lets me think I did it on my own. You’ve called me to write and I give you the credit for any fruit that comes from my endeavors. I choose to worship you, not things created by my hands.