Signs, Wonders, & Idols

Previously in this series: Pursuit / One Step Closer / Hot On God’s Heels / Branches / Above Every Other Love / I Need You/ Meet Me in the Middle

I want to try and wrap up this Pursuit series. It’s hard to put an end to something that is on-going. What an amazing promise we have from the Lord—there is always something to be found as we press on to know him (Isaiah 40:28, Romans 11:33, Ephesians 3:8). And, if we are good followers, he will find us faithfully pursuing him as he continually pursues us.

I’m being chased by the very One that I pursue — Kelanie Gloeckler

As I read Gideon’s story, I began to process how God has used signs and wonders throughout history to lead his people. Some of my favorite signs throughout scripture are the pillar of fire and cloud by day (Exodus 13:21), rainbow (Genesis 9:16), writing on the wall (Daniel 5), sound of marching on top of the trees (2 Samuel 5:24), any of the miracles, angels, and, of course, a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:12). Additionally, I have a personal collection of signs and wonders the Lord has used in my life. They get my attention, confirm stirrings in my heart, and lead me closer to him. I’m so grateful for the different ways the Lord speaks to us.

Trouble is, it is too easy to let the sign and wonder God is using mutate into an idol. In my Theology and Culture class, which I have love-hate relationship with, we discussed how signs point to a reality but are not the reality in and of themselves. For example, an exit sign above a door points to the door which through we can exit. We do not actually exit through the sign, rather through the door. Likewise, the signs that God uses in our lives point us to Christ—draw us closer to Christ, edify us in Christ—but they are not Christ in themselves. As a matter of fact, signs and wonders are here today and gone tomorrow, just like the grass. (Isaiah 40:7-8)

As disciples of Christ we must be diligent to keep signs and wonders for their proper purpose—pointing us to Christ. We are not disciples of signs and wonders. If we are following Jesus there will be signs and wonders. He is engaging and personal with us! On the contrary, if we are following signs and wonders, there is no guarantee of Jesus. What’s the point of that? What’s the point of an exit sign if there isn’t really an exit? What’s the point of only looking at the exit sign?

How do signs and wonders mutate into idols?

To answer that question, let’s consider what an idol is. Julie Sparkman states that idols are simply, “Making our lives work apart from God.” Timothy Keller writes that an idol is , “…anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give… ” Another definition of idol I heard is, “Anything we create to put our trust in rather than putting our trust in God.” These definition make us come face to face with the truth that we are the ones who create idols, not God. They line up with God’s commandment, do not make images and bow down to them. (Exodus 20:4) We are created in the image of God and reflect his creativity. We were designed to imagine and create. When we are worshiping God, our creativity is a beautiful expression pointing to what we are beholding. When we are not worshiping God, we create images. When we are creating with God, he can breathe life into our expressions (signs that point to reality). When we create without him, we are left with things (signs that point to nothing). The Psalmists say it like this,

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them. (Psalms 115:4-8 and 135:15-1)

Signs and wonders mutate into idols when they lose the Spirit of Life—when they no longer point to Christ. We can take a sign that God initially uses to build our faith and create something more out of it. In my experience, we start looking for the sign instead of listening for voice of God. That’s how a sign or wonder turns into an idol. It can get a little confusing—fine lines. Here are a few questions that may help discern the presence of idols in our lives.

Is this sign pointing to itself, or is it leading me Christ?

Faith in God and his word should be growing.
We should be getting to know God more.
Relationship. Relationship. Relationship.

Is this sign dictating my emotions or faith?

God doesn’t always use signs to build our faith. A lack of signs should not cause us to fear or be discouraged.
When God uses signs to confirm what he is speaking, it brings hope. Hope keeps us hot on God’s heels.
Beware of hype. When God is speaking and confirming his word it is exciting—rightfully so! We can get all revved up and begin to move ahead of God. Hype isn’t real, it’s false hope. God wants relationship with us.

Am I obsessed with this sign?

Obsession is never good.
Not everything you see is a sign from God. Sometimes rainbows are just rainbows.
If we are too focused on the sign or wonder God is using or has used in the past, it becomes an idol.

Thinking back to how God used signs and wonders to build Gideon’s faith, the signs remained in their proper place. Fleeces were only used during one period with Gideon, he didn’t obsess over them and demand God use them every time. Gideon took one step closer to God with every sign. They caused him to press in to know the Lord.

If you are like me, some idols were revealed as we read through those questions. Good news! Idols are smashable. We have been given divine weapons to destroy idols in our lives.

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ… (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Here are some practical steps to take with signs that have mutated into idols.

Acknowledge the presence idols to the Lord
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you clean house. He is the Helper–literally.
Create a discipline to smash idols as they pop throughout the day. When you realize you’re fixating on a sign, acknowledge it and redirect your focus on God with a quick prayer or scripture like, “Nope! Nu-uh. Some trust in chariots, but I trust in the name of the Lord.”
Get some help from your friends. We need each other.
Worship the Lord. “We can’t miss what we are gazing at.” -Beth Taylor

As we press on to know the Lord, He is faithful to meet us and help us to get where He is leading. He loves to use personal signs and wonders in our lives. They are often the personal details that convince us of his love and greatness—causing us to go even further with him. Don’t let the sign become the main thing. They will rob us from the promise of knowing the Lord more and more and more.