The Idolatry of Origami

Do you struggle with the idolatry of origami? Do you ever find yourself spending more time folding colored paper into a swan (at least you wish) than reading your Bible? When sitting alone with nothing to do, are you more likely to spend that time praying or doing origami? When talking with friends, are you constantly fiddling with paper, be it your church bulletin or your straw wrapper, instead of really focusing on building them up with godly encouragement? If you don't have any paper with you in church, or if you've been really good and put it away for the service, do you still find yourself thinking about your next folding creation more than about the sermon?

In short, is origami more important to you than God?

Before you laugh and run away, I want you to think for a moment. What if, instead of "origami", there was a blank? In that blank, you could put anything: sports, school, popularity, friends, etc. Choose some activity that you find yourself spending a good deal of time on (yes, even instagram). Reread that paragraph, inserting whatever that activity is wherever you see origami (for example, are you always playing on your phone instead of fellowshipping with Christian friends and with God?).

Feel convicted yet? If not, pick another activity. Once you've gone through about ten and answered yes to each question, you've probably got enough evidence to move on.

Here's the thing. We often like to think of idolatry as people bowing down before some creepy carved image. While I'm sure this happens, for the most part, none of us physically bow to anything. And if someone asked whom we worship, we would say, without missing a beat, that we worship God.

But do we understand worship? It means that all the glory and all the focus goes to God. It means that God comes before all else. "You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3)." The first commandment. That means that nothing, NOTHING, comes before God.

One morning in Sunday School, my small group was discussing idolatry. We were asked to list things that could be classified as idols. Our answers came quickly: sports, grades, looks, friends, relationships, money, job. We kept going easily, ranging from family to serving at church to anything. Finally, I stopped the discussion. I proposed to the group that we could literally define anything as an idol if it came between us and God...even something as simple as origami. The joke stuck, and I hope the point did too.

Yes, it became an inside joke for the group to laugh about the rest of the day. But it really made me think. I'd said it without much thought, but since, I've realized how true it is.

Time is precious. We all understand that. So we make priorities (have to sleep, eat, brush teeth, go to school/work, etc.). Those priorities help us figure out where to spend our time.

But we get so caught up in the "essentials" (and yes, still brush your teeth) that, when we're done, we really just want some "me time", time for us to chill and do whatever we want. And yes, time for relaxation is important. But God is more so. He needs to be high enough on our priority list that we physically cannot proceed with our day unless we have "made time" for the One Who made time. I really like this quote from Martin Luther (and even more I wish I could live it out):







Wow. I mean, wow. Chew on that for a second. Instead of doing origami (or whatever more important thing he had to do), Luther determined that obtaining God's wisdom and blessing and peace for the day was far more important and necessary than whatever he had to do.

Do you find yourself often choosing origami over God? To put anything before God is to commit the sin of idolatry. Does checking Facebook instead of having quiet time with God count as sin? It can. But so can spending more time serving God at church, if you allow it to take higher priority. It's a sin we easily ignore, but it is one we must confront.

So I urge you: Set aside ten minutes a day. Dedicate those minutes to God. Nothing else is on. Not your phone, not YouTube, not your calendar, nothing. I know you have ten minutes floating around somewhere between your instagram checking.

And don't spend another second in the idolatry of origami.

"What's Next?" An Open Letter to Graduates

Today, I did something huge.

I put on a gown, gave a speech, received my diploma, and flipped my tassel.

I'm officially a high school graduate.

But, since this blog is not about me, I just want to use it to say a few words to my fellow graduates.

This is a huge moment in our lives.  So everyone wants to tell us that graduation day is a day that is "all about you!"  To be honest, it feels nice: everyone congratulating you, giving you money, and reminiscing over the way you used to be. It feels really great to be the center of attention for a day.

So it's hard to put the glory where it belongs: the Creator of the world and of us and the One who makes us victorious.  I was blessed to have a God-centered graduation, with a pastor to speak and prayer sprinkled throughout. But not all of you will have that. How much more important, then, to remember that you have only made it this far because of Him!

Now, I'm not saying that, whenever someone shakes your hand and says, "Congratulations," you have to say, "Thanks, but I owe it all to God." It's true, but let's face it...it's hard to break out of your excitement and say that. So celebrate! Enjoy every moment (believe me, it will all be over before you know it)! Bask in the love and support family and friends will show you!

But when you take off your cap, hang up your gown, and flip through your pictures, remember the One who gave you everything. All the glory you've been given...lay it at the throne of God. Because, truly, you and I would not be graduating except that God provided you with a place of teaching and a mind to learn.  It's hard to swallow our pride and realize that it was God all along.  I know.  I worked hard all my life to be the best student I could. But if God had not blessed my efforts, I wouldn't be able to read.

So what now?

If you, like me, have had your fill of this question, brace yourself. It's not over.

Obviously, you have some general idea of what you want to do. College, work, mission work, family...whatever is next.  And have that plan. Know what you like to do and do it. Find the path God leads you to and walk in it.

But here's the answer I really want you to consider, for the times when you ask yourself this question: "Next, with every step and every breath, I want to glorify my Creator and Savior, in whatever path He lays before me. The path is foreign, and I cannot yet see around the bend, but I know that I will never be in the dark all alone. I know that God's word is a light for my path and I trust that His wisdom will guide me through the many decisions I have yet to make."

 Dear fellow graduates, know that you are not alone.  Know that your path was designed for you before the beginning of time. Know that God will guide you.

Brothers and sisters, stay grounded in the Word and the One who is the Word. They will not fail you. Be faithful to the faith that has brought you this far; it will also lead you Home.

And to all of you who aren't graduating high school (or college): Don't you still have to answer that question? "What next?" Every day is a repeat of that question. God is still guiding you. Your path is still laid out before your feet. Love is walking with you.

So flip your tassel, throw your cap in the air, and celebrate!