Idols

I was reading through the book of Romans today when I came across this verse.

"Although they claimed to be wise, they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." - Romans 1:22

I simply love the part that says they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images. I began to wonder how that would look if it were acted out among humans...

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There was a huge banquet planned to celebrate the sucess of a company called Foreman. Foreman's only competitor had just gone bankrupt, allowing Foreman to take over the market for thei rproducts. Every employee was to be invited, to this night of fine wine, food, and speeches to honor the people that made it all possible.

The event took almost a year to plan, but as time drew near, the founder noticed that he did not recieve an invitation. He kept waiting and waiting, but nothing came. He was puzzled but said nothing to anyone, instead, he showed up at the party unannounced to see who exactly was being honored for making his company sucessful.

Much to his surprise, when he came into the hall filled with hundreds of people, he saw not his picture or name anywhere, but that of the products. The inventions that he had made! They had not made the company sucessful, for without him, there were no inventions and products. Disguted, the founder went back to his office. He sat there in the dark for sometime all alone and then finally said resignedly, "Well, they'll come back when they need me."

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Thinking about that story made me feel a little sad, but then made me reflect on how I have done that. I have made many things my idols. My first car, my relationships, my computer, work, even volunteer opportunitues through church! What a shame that we so often exchange the glory of the immortal God for the things that He created.