Launchers

    James was working in his desk again. The lid was up and he was furtively doing something inside. As I approached, the lid went down quickly and he got to work on the math page in front of him. 

    "What have you got going on here?" I asked, as I lifted the desk lid. I viewed with trepidation the collection of bent paper clips, tiny springs, and other small pen parts that seem to intrigue fourth and fifth grade boys.

    "It's my workshop," he said explained.

    "What are you building?"

    "Oh, a launcher," he said. 

    I groaned inwardly. I love the creativity of my students, but why, oh why, do they try to build when there is other work to be done? They know they will only get in trouble. And why is every boy on the face of the planet obsessed with things that launch?

    Sometimes we, too, build things, even though they will lead us to trouble. We build them covertly where others cannot see. Often they may never notice that something is happening. But you and I know. In the secret places of our hearts we erect idols.

    They may start out small, but invariably they grow. Maybe it's the idol of perfection or peer pressure. Maybe it's the the idol of wealth. You know your idols better than I do.

      Almost without us realizing it, these idols take our eyes off God, the Master Teacher. Suddenly, devotions aren't so important, church becomes an option, our fervent love for Him is cooled.

    God hates idols. We have it in His Word in Ezekiel 14. Tear down your idols. Turn your heart toward God. Get back to work on the assignments He has given you. They are so much greater than any idol you will ever construct.