This Week In Recovery Lesson
What and Who do I Worship?
Ultimately, MEdom is my addiction to me. At the core of all addiction is worship. What exactly does the word ‘worship’ mean, and why is being used here?
Mirriam-Webster defines worship as, “extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem… a person of importance.” This is the bottom line of the MEdom condition. Whether we are willing to admit it or not. There are so many who read this and feel the last person they respect, admire, and have high esteem for is themselves. Yet, the value they place on their pain, their struggle, their loneliness, their unworthiness, and so many more things in deep dark places, is central to their well-being and livelihood. Pain and overall discomfort is of prime importance and the object of utmost esteem. Even though a victim of perhaps abuse and neglect and other horrible life experiences, the reality is that the feelings, thoughts, and beliefs derived from a history of life experience belongs to them.
We are all owners of our thoughts, feelings, and desires. Those paralyzed by the pain of perilous memories remain stuck because they will not let go and choose to hold on to the burden of the past. Then there are those paralyzed by the drive of selfish ambition and pride, lust, and greed. They can never be satisfied with who they are and what they have. They strive to possess what they do not have, and to possess more of what they do have. Then there are those that may not be so much into material wealth but are determined to have their way and be in control. Then there is everyone else in the midst of these human conditions whose selfishness may not always be as obvious to others, or even to themselves, but are in fact selfish to one degree or another with the potential to harm oneself and others.
The scope of self importance ranges from merely living to survive, to living to have it all. Wherever you fit within that scope, you are the most important person in your world. It started the moment you were born hungry and desperate to be fed, and you made it that know to whoever happened to be listening. The truth is that we idolize self, whether by way of indulgence or self-loathing behavior. Either way, we do and say what we have to in order to minimize discomfort and reduce anxiety.
Isaiah 57:1-13
1 Good people pass away;
the godly often die before their time.
But no one seems to care or wonder why.
No one seems to understand
that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
2 For those who follow godly paths
will rest in peace when they die.
Idolatrous Worship
3 “But you—come here, you witches’ children,
you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!
4 Whom do you mock,
making faces and sticking out your tongues?
You children of sinners and liars!
5 You worship your idols with great passion
beneath the oaks and under every green tree.
You sacrifice your children down in the valleys,
among the jagged rocks in the cliffs.
6 Your gods are the smooth stones in the valleys.
You worship them with liquid offerings and grain offerings.
They, not I, are your inheritance.
Do you think all this makes me happy?
7 You have committed adultery on every high mountain.
There you have worshiped idols
and have been unfaithful to me.
8 You have put pagan symbols
on your doorposts and behind your doors.
You have left me
and climbed into bed with these detestable gods.
You have committed yourselves to them.
You love to look at their naked bodies.
9You havegiven olive oil to Molech (god of fire representing consumption)
with many gifts of perfume.
You have traveled far,
even into the world of the dead,
to find new gods to love.
10 You grew weary in your search,
but you never gave up.
Desire gave you renewed strength,
and you did not grow weary.
11 “Are you afraid of these idols?
Do they terrify you?
Is that why you have lied to me
and forgotten me and my words?
Is it because of my long silence
that you no longer fear me?
12 Now I will expose your so-called good deeds.
None of them will help you.
13 Let’s see if your idols can save you
when you cry to them for help.
Why, a puff of wind can knock them down!
If you just breathe on them, they fall over!
But whoever trusts in me will inherit the land
and possess my holy mountain.”
The purpose for the use of this Scripture is not to suggest that you are a witch, adulterer, or prostitute. Rather, we will explore attempts to…
… achieve spiritual significance by way of alternatives outside of relationship with God (aligning with opposing spiritual forces)
… betray and reject God, replacing Him with other gods of attention, affection, and admiration (adultery against God)
… offer your souls to the highest bidder to experience an imitation of gratification and fulfillment (“prostituting” to false gods)
The following questions will only be effectively helpful to you if you are absolutely honest and thoughtful in examining your lifestyle, relationships, routines, and habits. Failure to fearlessly consider the full merit of each question means that you will only cheat yourself out of the benefit of working through these issues and concerns that permeate the human condition and experience. Please read each question carefully and offer a thought-out response.
- In your lifestyle activities, how might you be seeking spiritual significance other than relationship with God?
- In your lifestyle and relationship activities, how might you be replacing God with things, events, places, and relationships that you give your attention and affection to, and would admit you admire in one way or another?
- In your lifestyle and relationship activities, how might you be pursuing experiences of gratification and fulfillment ahead or instead of pursuing fulfillment and satisfaction in your relationship with God?
Please refer to TWRAC 023 for this week’s applied challenge.
Print PDF Here