What do you crave?

Let's be real. Is there anything better than a freshly baked, hot, Krispy Kreme doughnut? That fresh glaze, the melt in your mouth taste....ahh....I crave them. Constantly.

We all have some sort of idol in our life. We have that one thing that we crave (in addition to delicious doughnuts). That one thing that we can't be happy without. There's absolutely no question about it. That's how we were made as humans. We constantly seek and crave any pleasure that can make us happy, successful, loved, and fulfilled. The problem, however, is that only God can truly satisfy and fulfill us, but that doesn't always sound as appealing to our sinful hearts.

I love being the center of attention. I enjoy making people laugh, and I am pretty awesome at talking....a lot. But when it all comes down to it, I can be a big phony. I crave acceptance. I crave for people to like me, enjoy being around me, and count me as one of their friends. Are any of these bad things? I surely don't think so, in moderation. It's totally okay to want to have friends, and it's fine to be talkative and personable...but that's kind of the point.

IDOLS DON'T HAVE TO BE A BAD THING!!! An idol is simply a good thing that you turn into a God thing. An idol is something, or someone, that you place more of your hope on than God.
See, here's where I struggle. Wanting friendships and attention isn't bad in and of itself, but when it takes the place that only God can fill, and when Satan intertwines himself into this desire of mine, it can quickly blow up in my face. I compromise myself for the sake of friendships. I want to be "cool" and "popular" so sometimes I'll include myself in the gossip, or I'll laugh at the inappropriate jokes, because it's better than being looked at like I'm weird. Sometimes I'll pretend like I am someone I am not so that I can fit in with others. And THAT is where the problem is.

Friends will always let you down. Your own feelings will always let you down. God won't. He is the one true constant. His love is never failing, no matter how many times I mess up. He forgives me when others won't. I experience JOY in His presence, and His presence alone. Philippians 4:19 says it in this way, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

So what is your "doughnut?" What is it that you think you need? Where is God telling you to give up and let Him take control? I challenge you to really search yourselves. Trust me, the feeling of relief when you relinquish that idol is overwhelming.

"I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols." Isaiah 42:8