Idols and Snares

This is one of those posts that I've typed, deleted, typed, deleted, and so on and so on, until I came to a point where I just needed to write it and be done!

At the risk of beating a dead horse - IDOL worship - I can't help but dwell on this verse in the book of Judges. 

Judges 8:27 says:
"All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family."


Gideon thought he was doing something decent toward the Lord, when he took a share of the plunder (from defeating the Midianites) and made an ephod out of it.   (From what I understand, this is a garment used in worshiping the Lord.)    HOWEVER, instead of causing the people to worship God, they started worshiping IT - the EPHOD!    


Sound familiar?   We all have things we worship (even though we would deny it).




Here's a list right off the top of my head:
a House
a Car
a Job
our Looks
our Wardrobe
our Hair
our Kids
Sports
TV
Money (probably should have put this one on top)
our Church
our Pastor
our Sweetheart
Education
our Title in the workforce (Dr., etc.)


and I'm sure you can come up with a list all your own.


Now, this is a pretty common thing that's talked about - not letting something become an idol - but the part that really stuck out to me in the verse is this:


"....it became a snare to Gideon and his family."


I can't help but think of things that I've done that have become a SNARE to my family.  


I think of money I've spent that put my family in a bind.  Credit cards I've opened to "get the discount" only to have that come back and bite all of us in the rear end.   Cars I've wanted.   Clothes I've wanted.  The latest gadget, couch, rug, set of dishes, and the list can go on forever.


Ladies, what about Home Businesses?  You know the ones.  They promise wealth, cars, prizes, and income, but sometimes they can become more like a noose around our necks; keeping us from focusing on our home and family, not to mention the money we toss out for those sparkly "start-up kits".  


What about our health kicks?  Are you constantly at the gym, working out?  Constantly having to buy the latest and greatest program, when a simple exercise routine at home would be sufficient? 


And then there are acts of service.  Is something you're involved in becoming a snare to your family?  Here's what that might look like: Mom's gone all the time, doing things for _______ and we have no clean clothes, no nutritious meals, no family time (except in the car), and other people see her more than we do!


Even BLOGGING can be a snare if it starts to affect your family in a negative way.


I encourage you to take a good look around today and evaluate any areas that might show a potential of being a snare to your family.    It may be something that is truly a noble work, whether for you or someone else.  However, if it causes your family to stumble in any way - financially, emotionally, relationally, or time wise, then it has the potential of being a negative thing. 


And that's not a good thing!


Have a blessed day!