My pastor is preaching through the book of Acts, and this Sunday he zeroed in on Paul’s address to the Athenians in Acts 17:16-34. When Pastor Jon preaches, I usually try to duck, as his exhortations tend to give way to thought-provoking, heart-exposing conviction and life change. He got me again, with this question: “what are you building to save you?"
My pastor is preaching through the book of Acts, and this Sunday he zeroed in on Paul’s address to the Athenians in Acts 17:16-34. When Pastor Jon preaches, I usually try to duck, as his exhortations tend to give way to thought-provoking, heart-exposing conviction and life change. He got me again, with this question: “what are you building to save you?"
Ouch. What am I building to save me? Why, nothing! It’s not like I’m in Athens, surrounded by gods and goddesses to appease. It’s not like I’m chillin’ in the Areopagus waiting to hear the latest philosophy. The author of the book of Acts wrote, “All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there used to spend their time in nothing else than telling or listening to something new.” Could that sound any more foreign?
If the Apostle Paul meandered into Dallas, where would he set up shop, I wonder? Where’s our Areopagus?
Values around here can be summed up in Groupon offerings. Maybe you’ve noticed that Groupon regularly offers eyelash extensions, Brazilian blowouts, tanning packages, laser hair removal, aqua-liposuction and teeth whitening. All. The. Time. We are a society obsessed with looking young and hot. Our pantheon may not be made of Zeus or Apollo; it looks more like an ode to body parts faked in suspended animation (like Han Solo being carbonized in that Star Wars movie). Bloated lips, stapled-in hair plugs, vanishing noses, plunging necklines, expressionless brows, tight foreheads, stitched- in hair in some places, and no hair in places where it used to be.
(Oh my word; archeologists and sociologists are gonna have a field day with us.)
We don’t have a pantheon of gods and goddesses…or do we? Celebs no longer have fans, they have followers, people. Might I add that some of these constantly sought-after and worshipped celebrities gained their fame by dubious means. I can’t help but think that Paul would look at the Yahoo OMG culture and say, “People of Dallas, I see that you are very religious in all respects. For as I went around and observed closely your objects of worship, I even found a Facebook page dedicated ‘to an unknown god.’”
Our idols aren’t necessarily made of gold or silver. No, they are hewn from steel and chrome, paper and plastic, collagen and silicone. Our Areopagus may be Facebook or Twitter; places where yeah, we actually do babble about every new thing.
As if our witty commentary on the Two and a Half Men premiere, or glossier hair, or a new Audi can save us from ourselves; our longing to look better, sound smarter, be more famous, or work harder to obtain that ever-elusive acceptance. Oh, how we desecrate our temples in that pursuit.
All God asks is that we repent. Turn away from chasing the idols in our lives, and turn to Him instead, for confidence, for love, for acceptance. A spray tan can give you golden calves; but the Lord can give you dignity as you walk through cancer, strength when you bury your child, hope when you are lonely, and joy as you wait. Sorry, but longer lashes won’t do that.
God doesn’t want an anonymous altar, he wants you.
God does not dwell in temples made with human hands so what are we building for? He loves us because…He loves us. His image is stamped on us before we shellac our faces or climb into our luxury cars. We have God’s love and acceptance. We don’t need golden calves.
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3 Comments
Julie C.
Crinkle-less, Worship More
Sharifa,
Thank you for this post. I know that Pastor Jon, and he's convicted me one or two times also! That pesky word of God and its two-edged sword.
I want a crinkle-less, wrinkle-free forehead (as you know). But tears and laughter put those lines there. A journey with my Savior–and a life of learning still ahead.
Thanks for the reminder. And I hope the archaelogists don't dig up my Chi hair straightener! Or OMG, those butt-enhancer panties (not that I need them!).
Julie
Crystal Autumn
Yes!
Preach it sister!
I love your insight. Thank you for writing on his sermon and bringing a very real sense of what was going on in Acts and how it applies to our culture now.
Sue Bohlin
Bam!
Oh Sharifa. You have nailed it once again! What marvelous insight!
I was recently involved in an online discussion about idolatry with a woman who insisted that we don't have a problem with it anymore since we don't bow down to wood and metal figures. The irony of it is that she was part of an online community that offers support to those struggling with sexual and relational brokenness, who are "giant sucking funnels" of emotional dependency, trying to get their needs met from other people instead of God. "No, no, I don't have a problem with idolatry, and I'm offended that you would accuse me of it!" What's worse than bowing down before something we know is an idol, is to reassure ourselves that we don't have any!
BTW, I've been listening to an audio book (The Next Story) by Tim Challies about living on the other side of the digital explosion, about how our lives are mediated by all kinds of screens and incessant distractions and interruptions. He says "Distraction –> Shallow Thinking –> Shallow Living." Your blog post is the opposite of shallow thinking. It shows that you've been paying attention to the changes in our culture, comparing our values to biblical principles, and thinking deliberately and deeply about it all. Yet another reason I like you so much! <grin>