In Exodus 32, we read that Moses was up on Mount Sinai meeting with God and after a while, the people of Israel below began to get restless. Aaron suggested that everyone donate their gold jewelry so they melted it all down—and fashioned a golden calf. Here’s what the Scriptures say, "When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, 'Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.' So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry." Wow! Unbelievable, right? Even more unbelievable was Aaron's story when Moses confronted him: "They gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” What? Let’s face it. One of the most insidious problems that we Christians have is that we make room for idols to come into our lives and take God’s place. Today, let's listen to a short verse that comes at the very end of the Apostle John's first letter:

Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. (1 John 5:11)

John’s advice seems simple enough, right? While it might seem simple, anyone who has been following Jesus for very long knows that keeping things from taking God’s place in our hearts is a constant battle. While I can easily avoid worshiping a golden calf, what about all of the personal comfort and convenience things that I really like? Or, like having enough money to live without worrying about it too much. Maybe it’s liking that people think good things about me. Maybe even liking to show myself effective in a church program. While some of these can be really good things, they can all become enemies of the Best Thing. And what’s the Best Thing?  Unselfish devotion to Jesus in our hearts.

Today, take a few moments to prayerfully consider this question: Are there any golden calves you’ve embraced in your life? And what will be at stake if you have to lay them down?