Missional Motherhood Part 6: Idolatry

This post has been mulling on my mind for a while, but I wasn't sure how to formulate it.  As we establish new routines and patterns at home, and I put some intention into my own health and wellness, I have felt pulled in many, many directions.  The topic of idolatry has come to my awareness once again. 
It comes under many guises.  Call it "felt needs" or "heart's desires" or "desires of the flesh" but it all talks about the same thing - anything that overpowers our mind and draws us to itself, instead of Jesus, claiming that it will fulfill our deepest desires.

As a mom of youngsters, I see idolatry everywhere.  Thanks to social media, I am constantly inundated with thing after thing after thing promising that it will bring peace, satisfaction, wholeness, and fulfillment to my life.  I sat down to make a little list, and it shocked me how many things pull and tug at my heart, promising a false happiness. 

The list includes (but is not limited to):
Be healthy (what even does this mean - such an all encompassing statement???)
Exercise daily
Eat clean
Don't eat sugar
Do acupuncture
Don't be stressed!
Do meal prep at the start of every week
Follow a budget (no last minute fast food when don't feel like cooking)
Do yoga every day
Listen to Podcasts
Use non-toxic cleaners only around the home
Keep the house looking like a showroom
Make homemade, healthy snacks for your kids every day (which is like 6 meals a day minimum!)
Do you hair, makeup and clothing to be selfie-ready at any point in the day
Keep the bills and papers in a constant state of organization.
File all that kid-artwork appropriately, and make sure you have a good system for keeping track of all those photos on your phone!
Blog, twitter, Instastory, Snapchat - keep up!
Have a good sex life! Be attune to your partner's needs all the time.
Make your bed
Burn essential oils and use them to support your health
Eat organic, or shop local, or pay premium price at the Farmer's Market... because, well it's better

It goes on... and on... and on.... Just writing this list is overwhelming, let alone trying to fulfill all of those things on a regular basis.  I'm exhausted!

Now, let me make a disclaimer that in no way do I think these things are inherently "wrong" in and of themselves.  Many of them are good, healthy, and beautiful things.  I have many friends who use these things as "tools" to assist their lifestyle and there is nothing wrong with that.  I just see people (mostly through social media) all around who are drawn into a cult-like belief that these things have "changed their lives" and "brought true freedom" and I think those claims are hogwash.  Sure, these things are good for you, but they are not our Saviour.  I know it sounds silly to even liken something like essential oils, or Podcasts to being our "Saviour" but I know that as a whole, I have been drawn to fill my life with ALL of these things, BEFORE coming to Jesus.  I think we live in a whole culture that fills every single space with "good" things, but in doing so pushes out the "greatest" thing that ever happened.  Who needs Jesus when you have a rockin' bod, clean home, picture-perfect kids, and nice smelling house?  The problem is, that even IF you achieve all that this world promises, you won't be ultimately happy!  As my pastor (also husband ;) said last week, you'll always live in the fear of losing what you have accomplished.

So, if anything, this is a reminder to me.  For me, the biggest draw to compare and "do" more comes from social media.  I'm going to take a break from posting (and following) for a little while, just to give my heart a break.  I'll still blog, but you won't see me as active on Instagram and Facebook.  If you care to join me, leave a comment below.  I'd love to do this together.