I Am Preapproved

When Jennifer Dukes Lee sent out the invitation for people to join her on a Lenten journey as part of the launch of her new book, Love Idol: Letting Go of Your Need for Approval - and Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes, I knew I wanted to jump on board.  The Lord had already been quietly showing me the many ways I have not been wholly devoted to Him.  Maybe it's my strong will, but He doesn't usually leave me room to doubt when I am hearing from Him.

I have never participated in giving up something for Lent before.  I thought it was for those raised in a different religious tradition than I and it seemed like a Christian twist on making a New Year's resolution that appeared less than genuine to me.  Just being honest here, so please don't condemn me for my ignorance!  I was intrigued and interested in being intentional for 40 days prior to the celebration of Easter.  It seemed quite fitting to focus my heart and mind on recognizing and ridding myself of those things that take my time, my attention, my mind and heart away from Jesus.  So I began thinking about what I should give up.

Where are the idols in my life and where do I sense the Lord wanting me to begin?

I considered several things, but the thing that kept returning to my mind was...

That master the Bible warns us about over and over, money.  

I have always been a pretty thrifty person, though I'd much rather it be out of desire than necessity.  I do enjoy consignment/thrift store shopping, craigslist, do-it-yourself projects, pinterest, and finding a great deal. Is there anything wrong with that?  Not exactly.  There's nothing wrong with being a good steward and providing for your family.  The Proverbs 31 woman was an expert at this.  "She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.  She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.  Her lamp does not go out at night." Proverbs 31: 16-18 (ESV).  Where I go wrong is making purchases that go beyond our budget, loving that 'thrill' of buying something new only to think I shouldn't have bought it later, feeling ashamed of our less than put-together home, and wishing for more money so I could buy more stuff rather than being content with the abundance I have. 

The truth?  I would have much rather given up Facebook, sugar or some other idol in my life because it would have been easier and I would much rather tell you about something else than this.  I'm not proud to tell you, this particular idol and I go back a looong way.  It goes back to wanting to have the brand name stuff that all the 'cool' kids wore.  It goes back to my thinking that success and having a lot of money and material things go hand-in-hand.  It goes back to wanting the attention or approval of others because I have achieved 'the American dream'.

Truth?  A wise friend told me years ago as we were making the agonizing decision to sell our home rather than declare bankruptcy, "It's all gonna burn one day anyway.  Your house is not your home."  Truth?  True friends, the ones that genuinely care about me, could care less what stuff I have, how my house looks or how large my bank account is.  Truth?  I already have all the approval I need in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If you'd like to join me, you can check out more by clicking the links above.  You can also join the The Love Idol Movement on Facebook and you can print some great cut outs to remind you that you are Preapproved here and here.

"In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."  Ephesians 1:5-6 (ESV)