A “Love Idol” Journey
It’s a soul-searching journey. A dive into the heart of the matter. If we are earnest in our seeking, it will take us on uncharted paths to uncover what really matters to our heart.We may discover that “idols” lurk beneath the veneer of our lives and we have fooled even ourselves.
What is that one thing or person that I crave to fill my deepest needs? Is it Jesus? As Christians, we will answer quickly that it is He. But I know that deep within me lie other cravings–really idols–that I run after to fulfill my needs. Only to find that I am still empty.
So what is it in your life that calls your name,? That says if I have this, then I will know I am approved? Is it acceptance of your writing? The love of someone special? The healing of relationships that demand every ounce of your energy to restore? A better physical appearance? The job that will say,
“I have arrived. I am not a failure”? Or perhaps it is well-behaved children whose obedience declare that you are the model parent?
I began this year knowing that the Lord desired to take me on a journey of “Love.” To reveal His love to me and then ask me to share His love with those around me. I did not realize how deep into the crevices of my heart He desired to go. The hardened clay that clogs the darkened areas of my heart making it difficult to breathe in His love. The “Love Idols” (#loveidols) standing like false gods demanding my worship to walk in what is counterfeit freedom.
Jennifer Dukes Luke has challenged us to walk into this dank, dark valley of our souls with Jesus this Lent. To find the “Love Idols” that have cluttered our hearts and clogged the arteries of where Christ’s blood desires to flow and set us free.
Jennifer has written a book called “Love Idol: Letting Go of Your Need for Approval – and Seeing Yourself through God’s Eyes.” In her book, she describes this need for approval: “At last, the teacher pauses beside me. She presses my grade onto the desk and pats my back, an attempt to offer reassurance for an overwrought child who does not want to disappoint her teacher or her parents. I flip the paper over and hold my breath until my darting eyes find what I crave. And I do. I find an A+ inked in a corner. Only then do I exhale, in one long, warm stream of air. The thin, red lines of a single vowel coax my fears into remission. This fulfills my daily requirement of approval, and now I can breathe.At least until tomorrow.”
Do you feel the Lord calling you on a soul journey this Lent? One that gives up a “Love Idol” in your life? Then jump to Jennifer Dukes Lee’s site and learn what the Lord has in store for you and how to order her book. More will be coming as we move into the rending of our souls beginning on Ash Wednesday.
“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 NIV
From My Heart To Yours,
Linking with Jennifer Dukes Lee at Love Idol Launch, Winsome Wednesday, and Word-Filled Wednesday
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Hi Janis! I can already feel the freedom this lenten journey will take us to, can’t you?
Yes, Patricia! Resurrection Joy awaits us at the end of this lenten journey. Thank you for stopping by!
From My Heart to Yours, Janis
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Wonderful Janis! Love how you brought Jennifer’s heart alongside your own in this post. ♥
Thank you, Nannette. This is an exciting spiritual journey we are all on.
From My Heart to Yours, Janis
Power-packed, Janis. Yes, I have battled the *love idol* of approval all my life. May the Lord continue to wean my heart from false pursuits, and to realize that The Audience of One is ALL that matters!
GOD BLESS!
“What is that one thing or person that I crave to fill my deepest needs? Is it Jesus? As Christians, we will answer quickly that it is He.”
You’re so right that we know the correct answer to give (A+ for us!). And I believe in our sincerity to *want* that to be our answer. But so many other things creep in with that answer…praying for a whole heart for Him!
Lisa~Join us on this journey to wholeness in the Lord. To allow the Lord to rid us of those things, persons, habits we put before God. But the purpose of this journey is to realize that the approval we are seeking elsewhere cannot satisfy us. Only the approval from the Lord, which He readily gives–has already given–will fulfill our every desire.
Come join many of your friends on this Lenten journey, Lisa.
Blessings, and hope to see you there.
Janis
Hi Janis! Well, you are the second person to recommend this series, so I think I’d better hop over and check it out.
Thank you! Have a blessed day my friend,
Ceil
Ceil, I hope you have found out more about the “Love Idol” book written by Jennifer Lee. It has appeared at a prime time to refresh our souls during this Lenten season. It’s a time of giving up–but not giving up sweets or TV or some other pleasure. It’s a time of giving up the idols we run after for approval, instead of running after Jesus who offers us His approval wholeheartedly. Check it out.
Blessings,
Janis
I’ve heard a bit about this book and study but now you’ve gotten me more interested. I will head over and check it out. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Debbie~you will be blessed to learn more about the journey this book takes one on. A journey of our inner soul, letting God uproot the idols and replace them with His approval of us and His love.
Blessings on the journey, Janis
Many people are posting about this book, and it’s got me pondering deeply. Approval issues have always plagued me. And, I’ve realized one thing lately – I still deeply crave the approval of my grown-up sons. Not being a daily part of their lives continues to be hard for me (even though they’re 31 and 27!!). And when I’m with them, I find myself wanting so much to know that they somehow still need me. Sometimes that backfires because it makes me *clingy*…
Lord, teach me to seek approval from You alone – and to realize that You continue to use me in the lives of those I love.
GOD BLESS, Janis.
Dear Sharon,
You have blessed me tremendously by your comment. I have been skirting the deep issue of what holds my heart captive from the Lord. It is the very same subject you had the courage to reveal here. I’ve wanted to say that it is just approval~because we all crave that in one form or another, but the approval and relationship with our youngest son in particular is what keeps my heart locked up and not open to receiving God’s fullness of acceptance and approval.
I was just spending time with the Lord and then your comment came. I, too, have to be courageous here. My fear is not what others might think but how our youngest will react if he or his fiance read my blog. And they do look for it at times, wondering what I am saying.
Thank you, Sharon, for the truth to share this.
Love you, my friend.
Janis
This sounds like a fabulous book! 🙂