I gots it...I gots it...

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=danielmroseco-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=0525951369 A number of weeks ago I reviewed Tim Keller's Counterfeit Gods.  Over the next few days I am going to work through this little book with some thoughts of my own.  I hope that you will find it to be a beneficial conversation. I hope that you will join in via the comments section.  I think that these posts will be timely during Lent which is a time of preparation and setting aside idols in our lives.

The opening chapter discusses the story of Abraham from the perspective of "what happens when you get all you ever wanted?" This is a great question!  As we consider our lives most of what we do is so that we can get what we want. We train and prepare for certain jobs so that we can make money. We take this money and we use it to buy what we want.  It might be a house, a car, some tech toy, or even the right clothes or the right look to get the right girl (or guy).

Some people never get what they want and this desire drives them throughout their lives. Many get what they want. When you do the question is, "now what?" As I look around this world I think people just begin the process to get the next bigger and better version of whatever our desire is.

As Keller points out, God often asks for this back. Why? It's because when we get what we want it becomes the center of our lives.  This "thing" displaces God.  This, according to Keller, is the center of the Abraham story.  Abraham got his son.  God asked for his son back and when Abraham was willing to give him it proved that Isaac was not the center of his life.  I think that this is a legitimate interpretation of the story.

As I consider my own life I think that there are a two things right now that need to be given back to God.  First, entertainment. I love to be entertained.  I enjoy an evening at home relaxing on the couch and taking in my latest DVR'ed goodness.  This time could be used to talk with my bride.  It could be spent reading.  It could be spent praying.  It could be spent...well you get the point. I do not think that relaxing with a good television show is all that bad.  I will continue to do so.  However, I think that it needs to be put in proper perspective and I need to make sure that it is not choice numero uno!

Second, the internet.  I love surfing the web and being in the know.  If you check out my strength finder profile you will see that input is one my strengths.  However, it can quickly become ruinous.  This is because I can spend hours gaining input, reading news, anything that will find my mind with new facts and details. Information gathering becomes central. Part of the reason for this blog is to help me slow down and communicate out some of what I am inputting through out my daily routine.

What about you? What is displacing God in your life?