Microwave Idol

We are definitely a society of instant.  We have microwave popcorn, instant coffee, instant grits (which I happen to actually enjoy although it betrays my true southern-ness), instant money access through online banking, instant weight loss pills, movies on demand - the list is seemingly endless. 

I was a bit shocked when God said to me tonight (on the drive home from church), "What about instant idols?"

I have never thought of idols as instant.  I always thought that idols were something that built up over time, something that pulled your heart away from God a little more each day if you didn't guard yourself.  I think those things are true of idols but tonight God pointed out something new to me:  the microwave idol.

You know the microwave idol; it's that thing that you wake up with on your mind:  the office gossip that is too good to pass up.  The bill that is due that you can't pay until Friday but somehow worrying today makes it all better.  It's the drama you can't control but must discuss.  It's the future that you say you trust God to handle but you are trying to figure out today how you can change it. 

The microwave idol.  The instant god.  The immediate deity.  Call it what you will - they hit you like a ton of bricks and, if you are not careful, they take over your thoughts and your mind.  They can stay with you for days.  Like the sudden onset of the flu the split-second onset of the lord of the now takes you over before you can blink. 

What do we do?  How do we combat this subtle and swift tool of the devil? 

We resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7)
We take every though captive to the knowledge of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5)
We repent of our sin so we can walk in salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10)
We walk in the newness of Christ  (Romans 6:4)

Be aware of the long-suffering idol.  He is there.  He is waiting for you to let your guard down.  But today, beware of the microwave idol.  Look for him in the snack machine or the nearest drive thru for fast food.  He is just waiting for 9 seconds of your time to grow into something big.