Who will you worship?

Oh my lands! Did ya'll see Survivor last night? Now I've only watched an episode here and there over the last few years but I wasn't ABOUT to miss last night. Leslie Niese - the Christian radio host - is a local girl who I've missed hearing on the air while she was gone. She's also a good friend of Leigh's so I wanted to see how she did. I have to admit that I figured they would find out she was a Christian and boot her off the first night, though I was praying it didn't happen. BOY WAS I WRONG!

In case you don't know they're in China this year and I wondered if Buddhism would somehow play a factor into the game and it hit the 1st episode! They had the little disclaimer at the beginning saying it wasn't a "worship ceremony" (nice try Jeff) but they had their hands clasped in "prayer like" fashion and they were bowing down. I kept going "Oh Leslie, oh Leslie" as I watched her wrestling with respect for their culture and her faith in Jesus. But then she just couldn't take it and she got up and left the temple!!! I stood up and shouted "YES!" I was so proud of her for taking a stand and then dropping Scripture to tell why she did it!! YOU GO GIRL!!!

The funny thing was, I just couldn't help but wonder if I was in the same situation what I would've done. There was a time in my life when I would've bowed and not a single thing about it. Rationalizing that it didn't change what was in my heart. However, the word of God is VERY clear about bowing to any idol and I believe God is QUITE serious about the act of bowing!! I'd sure like to think I'd have the courage to do what Leslie did but in that situation....well, I don't really have to worry about going on Survivor, my lupus prevents that! hahaha

I do know that the Lord led me thru the Beth Moore Daniel series to teach me about who I worship. If you haven't done it, DO IT! I can't say I've got it licked, but I am certainly WAY more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's conviction when I allow something to take God's place. Sometimes it's my man, or my kids and I rationalize that with it's what a wife/mother is "supposed" to do, but is that what God says we should do? NO WAY! HE MUST be first for everyone! Mom, Dad, wife, husband, son, daughter, sister, friend, church servant, EVERYONE! God will not share His throne with ANYONE or ANYTHING!

God, thank you for opening my eyes to things that I have placed ahead of you and for removing them! Keep me clean. Bara my heart Lord!! I love you and want NO ONE or NOTHING to stand between us! You are good Lord and I praise You simply because You are who You are!!