‘our gods’

“We will never again say ‘our gods‘ to what our own hands have made…”

I read that line this week in one of my daily, devotional readings, readings that hopefully help me glean a wiser perspective on what’s happening in the world.  I couldn’t shake it…

Our gods.

Own hands.

To what we have made.

What have I invented that I treat like a god?  What have I created that I worship and adore? … to which I’m wholly devoted?  … to which I am more devoted than to any divine being?

What do I pursue most?  What do I revere?  What’s most precious?  What am I most passionate about? … which may actually, possibly take the place of any god?

Could it then — ever actually, possibly get in the way?

I hear the immediate, deflecting declarations that “I didn’t design this”…  the claims that “I didn’t create it”…  or even the “but what I’m devoted to is really good.”  I sometimes wonder, however, if we’re prone to deflect first as it numbs the wrestling with individual responsibility.  We’re way too good at deflecting responsibility.

What have I called “god” that my own hands have made?

A passion.  A pursuit.

A calling.  A career.

An advocacy.  An ambition.

The Intramuralist always pauses when time and time again, we see people passionately pursue some good-sounding, virtuous, empathetic advocacy — but then fail to have any compassion for someone who shares not an equivalent degree of passion; they lose any care and concern for the one who thinks differently.  Something wise is missing in that… something more than respect.

I wonder sometimes.  Have we allowed our advocacies and ambitions to become something more?  … something that has interfered with the wisdom that seemingly should accompany our age?  … something that has interfered with our worship?

Have we worshipped a passion — i.e. something other than God — so much so that the passion and pursuit actually become our god — the object of our adoration?

Has then our reliance on self become unknowingly inflated?

“We will never again say ‘our gods‘ to what our own hands have made…”

I’m wondering if we do that…

No… I’m wondering when…

Respectfully… still thinking…

AR