SON-Worshiper
By Karen D’Amore
“You shall have no
other gods before Me.”
Exodus
20:3 (NIV)
As
a Southern California native, my immersion into sunbathing began at an early
age. As far back as I can remember, baby oil and beach towels were a constant
companion. And what started out as a typical California summer pastime
transcended into a long-standing addiction. The overbearing impulse to display
a sun-kissed glow led to perpetual overdoses of vitamin D…oozing from my skin.
As is common with most addicts, I was oblivious to my addiction. As a literal
“tanorexic,” my identity was linked to my all-consuming relationship with the
sun. EVERYTHING in my life
revolved around my “sun time” and the need to be tan.
In
the book Addictions: A Banquet in the
Grave, Edward T. Welch [1] identifies sin as the root of addictions. More
specifically, he points to idolatry as the root of addictions, emphasizing that
idolatry is not only worshiping a false god, it’s anything that takes our
attention and worship away from the One True God. Even as a mature believer and
working in full-time ministry, I was still blind to my addiction/idol. As a sun
worshiper, my heart was divided and my attention was distracted from the
SON of God.
For
nearly forty years, I bowed down and worshipped that false “sun” god. After
numerous surgeries, topical chemo and months of radiation treatments to destroy
the skin cancer, that idol was finally eradicated from my life. Reaping the
scary cancerous consequences of that idol served as the necessary means to
severing bondage to that addiction. Now, hindsight stirs deep regret, as I
reflect on those wasted years of worshiping the wrong sun/Son.
Scripture
warns, “…do not worship other gods. Rather, worship the Lord your God” (2
Kings 17:38b-39a, NIV). Scripture is clear that nothing should stand
between us and God. Unfortunately, in this world, there are many gods vying for
our attention…seeking our devotion and prodding to be the god we choose to
worship. What’s your obsession? What consumes your thoughts, desires, time and
passions? Is it the god of…
…success
…family, spouses or children
…food
…possessions
…alcohol or drugs
…sports
…wealth
…exercise
…lust
…education
…beauty
…success
…family, spouses or children
…food
…possessions
…alcohol or drugs
…sports
…wealth
…exercise
…lust
…education
…beauty
When
we put the little gods of this world before the One True God in our hearts, we
create idols. And those idols will surely interfere with our worship of the One
True God.
Though
the sun is no longer a personal idol, other gods in this world manifest
themselves as perpetual temptations. As a transformed “sun” worshiper, I
suffered the consequences of bowing to a false god. I now strive to be a radical
SON-Worshiper - - filled with a SON-kissed inner glow - - that will never ever
fade!
GOING DEEPER:
1.
What idols need dethroning in your life?
FURTHER READING:
[1] Edward T. Welch, Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave: Finding
Hope in the Power of the Gospel (Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing,
2001)
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
