The 2nd Commandment

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 

This verse goes on to say, “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

Wow.

When I read these verses, I’m overcome with the sad reality that is our present day and time. We live in an online social world of our own making where “images” are everywhere, ones that are notoriously bowed down to, even within Christian circles.

(Anti-vax, homesteading, super moms, anyone?)

In my own little sphere, how often do I get plagued with images of “perfect” motherhood, when in reality, we’re pretty dang grateful over here if our kid isn’t in prison, on pills, or on the pole.

There is little I can control and little I want to. So why do I often feel the need to forget everything God has done, and instead of glorifying the beautiful image of Him, I look to other glimpses of “perfection” to brainwash me and make me a slave to their high demands?

It’s something human in us, this strong desire for heaven even when heaven is in the here and now, the past, the present, and the ever-glorious future.

I mean did you catch that last line of that verse? He shows love to all those who keep His commandments. So, let’s not make it so hard and turn our faces away from the false images of what we think we crave and always stay firmly in the Source.

Search me, God, and know my heart.

List a few things that have caught your eye on social media and tempted you into believing in their “power of perfection.” Take a second to ask God to keep you focused on Him as the only Power of Perfection and thank Him for always loving you, especially in those temporary moments of temptation.