More... And Less

He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30

A couple weeks back I decided to give up playing games on my phone, at least for a period of time.  I discovered that I was much more aware of things in the spiritual dimension when I did that.  And yet early on I was also aware of how much angst that gave me.  It seemed weird at first because the biggest reason I played those games was to have something mindless to do as a break.  What I think I've discovered though, is that those "mindless games" were actually preventing me from deepening my relationships and accomplishing every day tasks that I needed to complete.  They took much more time than I intended.  They kept me from God  They had become an idol to me. 

Let me be clear,  when I devote myself to anything that takes my time and energy away from my relationship with God, I have an idol.  Idols come in all forms.  They can come in the tangible forms of prized cars or works of art or even people I hold dear.  In Wisconsin, where I am from, the waiting list to obtain Green Bay Packer season tickets exceeds 100,000 people.  It is not uncommon for individuals to leave their ability to purchase season tickets as part of their will or to place a child's name on a wait-list as soon as a birth certificate is obtained.  That is not to say that every Green Bay Packer season ticket holder is an idolater in this regard but I know from talking to people that some clearly fit that mold.  If you've ever been to any form of sporting event there is a form of worship that is practiced, often more fervently than you'll see from those same individuals in a church setting!  When it's been my son playing I know that I've been guilty of that.  And I'm a passionate worshipper!!!  When those things become more important than God's place in my life, I have an idol to contend with. 

Often, however, idols are even more subtle.  They might come in the form of a "harmless" fantasy we allow ours minds to play with (even if we never act on it!) or an education or good deeds that we regularly engage in.  Surprisingly idols can be "good" things and "good" endeavors, those things which we feel build us up.  But ask yourself - Does this distract me from the real Treasure?  Do I find myself caught up with things that aren't really all that valuable?  (I know I have replayed game moves over and over in my head in order to get a higher score the next time.)  I like how John Piper describes it in his book A Hunger for God:  

If you don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the 
glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply 
and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long 
at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small 
things, and there is no room for the great.  

If you're like me you may find that idols pop up all the time, usually slithering in slowly and taking captive our hearts and minds before we realize what is happening.  I think this may have been in Paul's mind when he instructed the Corinthian church (I like how The VOICE translation puts it):

For though we walk in the world, we do not fight according 
to this world’s rules of warfare. The weapons of the war we’re 
fighting are not of this world but are powered by God and 
effective at tearing down the strongholds erected against 
His truth. We are demolishing arguments and ideas, every 
high-and-mighty philosophy that pits itself against the 
knowledge of the one true God. We are taking prisoners 
of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into 
obedience to the Anointed One.  (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

I think Paul wants to remind us that this desire for "more" of God is a battle!  But it cannot be won on our own.  "Our weapons...are powered by God."  And oh how I need those weapons!  I often find myself struggling with selfishness.  I'm not talking about taking time for "myself" as a form of self care, but when I start to use that as an excuse for letting things like digital games eat up my time, it has become an idol for me.  Notice the recurring theme here?  As I've been writing, God has been convicting me and I have deleted those games that have engrossed me.  And it's been quite freeing!!!  You see, when we let go of our idols we become free to pursue God unencumbered.  The author of Hebrews knew this.  He encourages his readers:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of 
witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s 
absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary 
weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly 
entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence
 the race that is set before us, [looking away from all 
that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, 
who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive 
for our belief and the One who brings our faith to 
maturity]...  (Hebrews 12:1-2a AMP)

This is a common theme in Scripture.  For example, Paul reminds the Corinthians in his first letter to them:

 We all know that when there’s a race, all the runners bolt for 
the finish line, but only one will take the prize. When you run, 
run for the prize! Athletes in training are very strict with 
themselves, exercising self-control over desires, and for 
what? For a wreath that soon withers or is crushed or simply 
forgotten. That is not our race. We run for the crown that 
we will wear for eternity.  
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (VOICE translation)

I love John the Baptist's single-minded craving for "more" of God.  He lets go of material things, the "stuff" we can get so bogged down with, choosing instead to live a simple albeit radical lifestyle. He releases any jealousy (this is pretty much always a symptom of the presence of an idol!) that could have gripped him when Jesus burst onto the scene, taking the wind out of his sails, so to speak.  And when given the opportunity he describes what joy this gives him.

 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing 
unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me 
witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent 
before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. 
The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, 
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy 
of mine is now complete. He must increase, 
but I must decrease.”  John 3:27-30

John has heard the voice of the bridegroom, Jesus.  In John's mind there is nothing greater than having "more" of Jesus.  In my own experience I've discovered that when I root out the idols that grip my heart and I'm open to receive more of God I find joy too.  So I concur with John.  Being in relationship with Jesus, gaining "more" of God is what brings lasting joy.  And that always takes us down the path of releasing idols, the things that hold us back.  It means less.  But the reward is MORE!  Oh, so much more!!!