Idols Part I (day 1)

     You would think that a study on body image and weight issues would begin with proper diet and exercise and maybe about self-esteem stuff.  Nope.  We are going to talk about idols.  That is a great place to start don't you think?   The word "idol" conjures up all kinds of images, all the way from ooga booga masks to tiki figurines to the "American idols".
     Many of you reading this blog know me and so know what I look like and most of you would probably say, "Why is she doing a study on weight and body image, she doesn't need to lose weight."  And, although I think I could stand to lose a few pounds, they are right.  I have never struggled with weight per se. But what I have struggled with, my entire adult life is a problem with food.  For me food is an idol. I confess that I can sit down to one meal and already be thinking about the next.  I get kind of annoyed when I am full because I would rather just keep on eating.  The Holy Spirit has convicted me of this many times and I wonder sometimes if He gets tired of me apologizing over and over for the same thing.  What I love about God though is His incredible capacity for forgiveness and willingness to work with us when we screw up....over and over...So I began to ask Him for help, for wisdom. 
      I have someone in my life, whose identity I will protect here.  But this example seems appropriate.  She once confessed to me that she couldn't wait to get to heaven because then Jesus would heal her of all her hurts.  That then she would find peace from all the wounds of the past.  While that is true, and we will be completely healed when we get to heaven, I absolutely believe that God has healing for us right now, here in this place at this time.  So I am not prepared to wait until heaven to find victory over this particular struggle in my life. I challenge each of us to believe God for victory over the thing or things which are holding us back from living a life that is free from the things which bind us up and make us feel like we are captives. 
     What about you?  What do you feel is an idol in your life?  If you are not a follower in Jesus or a believer in God you can still ask yourself the same question.  What is the thing that you worship in your life, that you serve?  What is the thing that you go back to again and again, that seems to have a hold over you?
     In the next segment I am going to talk more about idols.  How they are used in our lives and what areas of our lives they touch.  I will concentrate more on food as an idol and what that means.  We will get into diet and exercise don't worry.
     As we begin this study together I would like you to do something.  Get a notebook, an empty one.  They have them at the dollar store.  This notebook is going to be your personal journal as we do this together.  Each post there will be questions for you to ponder.  Write down your thoughts.  Feel free to post some of the things you discover about yourself on this blog.  We are in this together.  Know that I am praying for you.  This is going to be an awesome journey of learning and change so be prepared!
Love you all!