They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. — Romans 1:25 NLT
It’s fascinating how human beings find meaning in the world around them, which sometimes shape their beliefs and behaviours in ways that can resemble traditional worship.
Throughout history, humans have long had a tendency to ascribe or give reverence, devotion, or even worship to things and people. Sometimes this is symbolic and at other times, it can take a more formal or ritualistic form.
We know about people and perhaps including yourself, who place great value and importance on nature, technology, celebrities, ideology or philosophies. People also place great value on material objects like luxury goods such as jewellery, expensive vintage cars, important and sentimental items handed down which has been in their family for generations etc.
In today’s world, public figures, celebrities, whether they are musicians, actors, or sports personalities, sometimes grow passionate fan bases that tend to resemble or feel like they’re being worshipped. The sometimes frenzied or intense admiration and loyalty toward certain public figures can at times resemble religious worship or devotion.
This intense admiration is not just towards public figures, entertainers or sports personalities. I have also seen this play out in some churches towards preachers and pastors as well. Some churches have so much elevated their pastor to almost a celebrity cult status that it feels like the pastor commands reverence and worship more than God Himself. We see how some of these preachers enjoy and bask in this limelight, admiration and loyalty. With a show of opulence, they are often seen and travelling with personal bodyguards, minders and a long convoy of cars.
Talking about devotion and worship, some individuals or groups adhere to ideologies, economic systems, or philosophies with absolute devotion, treating them as unquestionable truths or guiding influences in their lives. There are political, religious, environmental, and social movements that has come to have some significant impact in history and in our world today.
There’s so much talk today about the environment and “saving” the planet with the various initiatives that come with it such as reducing carbon emission by less reliance on fossil fuel, etc. Many advocates for environmental protection argue that human actions like pollution and climate change have impacted the planet negatively. In their opinion, the idea of “saving” the earth is about ensuring a world fit for future generations to live in.
While the various environmental initiatives are laudable, the earth is God’s creation, it has been in existence for thousands of years and ultimately, God alone continues to sustain it.
The reality is that man has flipped around God’s order whether intentionally or unintentionally. Instead of first elevating God as deserving our worship and reverence, man have flipped it round by first worshipping creation or created things.
No one and nothing deserve our worship and reverence but our Creator God alone. Believers therefore need to be aware and be careful of the dangers of subtly ascribing worship and reverence to things and people they encounter.
Shalom and stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 