Living Life by Design

It was 1971, and my dad was driving me to my first day of junior high school. As I left the car he said, “Go get ‘‘em Tiger.” I rolled my eyes and was off. After only a few days of school my new classmates had generously given me a new nickname…”beach ball with fingers.” I was unmercifully teased and picked on because of my weight.

By the time I reached 8th grade my dad had had enough of me coming home with a ripped shirt or bruised lip. We found a karate studio within walking distance of my house so my dad signed me up. It was incredibly difficult at first but my confidence grew as my waistline shrunk. Before long I was 35 pounds lighter, quick, and had a huge chip on my shoulder. Tae Kwon Do had become my savior. Everything I did centered around it. I became mean, and hateful. I worshiped at the alter of violence.

Psalm 115 is very insightful. The psalmist tells us that we become like that which we worship. “Those who make them (idols) will be like them, and so will all who trust them” (v.8). So, if we worship idols, we become lifeless, unable to do anything of value. 

We can often make idols of our jobs, relationships or pastimes…like I did karate. I believed that putting my faith in karate would solve all my problems. I lost weight. Girls began to notice me. I had confidence. No one picked on me. But, I was angry and miserable. I had become like what I worshiped.

We are called to put our faith in the Lord, and worship him. As we do, we become like him…we will be changed into his likeness and obtain fullness of life. 

Today, don’t invest your time in idols that bring no help or assurance. Put your trust in the Lord who is your, “help and shield (vv.9-11).