Dealing with Idols

Idols were always something I brushed off, saying oh yeah I have my idols under control. It’s no big deal.

I didn’t realize that by sweeping them under the rug, so to speak, they would get to be such a monster size. Or perhaps they always were, but God was just now showing me how big of a deal they were.

As I am learning, when God puts us in a time of waiting we often don’t keep focused on him and his path, but rather take roads off this path. These distractions we focus on and keep ourselves preoccupied with during this time of waiting are so incredibly deceiving. These things seem small, like a cute new guy, or pouring yourself into a project. They aren’t easily noticed because they are fine when balanced with spending time with God and serving him.

I like to illustrate it like you are walking on the path God paved for you, filled with adventure planned just for you. But, when you take that road off his path, you are still within sight of His path. You can still see Jesus. You don’t always realize you’ve tried to take a detour. And then you go deeper and deeper on that path and Jesus seems farther and farther away. You become wrapped up in your idols without even realizing.

That is where I found myself a couple weeks ago. 

Staying On Track with God in College

This year, my word is focus. One major aspect is focusing more on God. But, being in college, I am so incredibly busy. I barely remember to do my laundry or eat. How, then, can I stay on track in my relationship with God? Well, I am going to share my tips with you. I am by no means perfect at this, but I have found some things that really help. Hopefully these are helpful for you too.

Quiet Time

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to schedule out your quiet time with God. I’m sure you have heard over and over how important it is to have morning time with God. I don’t care, and neither does God, when you have your quiet time, as long as you have it. I personally used to get up every morning and try to have quiet time, but it didn’t work for me. I couldn’t focus because I had just woken up and was still half-asleep. I didn’t get much out of those times. I personally started going to the prayer chapel on my campus, which is so quiet and peaceful, perfect for quiet time. I also tend to go between the times of after class and before bed. During this time I am the most awake so I am able to better focus and I get so much more out of that time.

Journaling

Once I get settled and decide that the next hour is my time with God, I pull out my Bible, journal and the current devotional book I’m reading. No matter what I am reading or if I’m praying, I am writing in my journal. I find that this really helps me focus. This semester I have been challenging myself to journal more, and after five weeks, I’ve already used half of mine. I seriously see the difference. My mind is clearer because I am getting everything out on paper and then going back over it with God. I love doing this. I feel like when you write everything out you can go from being caught up in the little issues, to seeing the big picture of what God is trying to teach you. Plus, I love looking back at how God had been working in my life.