Idols are powerful, but two realities cause our hearts to become dissatisfied with idols. The first is that we are created in the image of God and created for God; nothing else will give us eternal purpose or everlasting joy. When we choose to set up a dead, powerless idol and worship at its feet, then we are attended to by a dead, powerless idol that pleases temporarily and superficially. Money disappears. Fame fades away. Children grow up and leave. Our friends fail us. Control is elusive. God alone – in all of His beauty and grace – can promise us joy forever. The second reality that causes our hearts to grow dissatisfied with idols is the grace of God. God is too good to allow His children to worship something or someone that will not satisfy. He is so good that He either wrenches our idols from our hands or makes us miserable as long as we clench and grasp.
— Dan Wickert, US-amerikanischer Gynäkologe, Autor und christlicher Seelsorger
Topics: Meaning & Identity, Grace & Redemption, Joy & Gratitude
Occasions: For Reflection
Dan Wickert
Dan Wickert ist ein US-amerikanischer Facharzt für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Autor sowie zertifizierter Seelsorger im Bundesstaat Indiana. Er steht für die Verknüpfung von medizinischem Fachwissen mit evangelikaler Seelsorgelehre und thematisiert Lebenskrisen wie Unfruchtbarkeit, Menopause oder Angstzustände. Für Bibelleser veranschaulicht sein Werk, wie körperliche und seelische Belastungen aus einer biblisch orientierten Perspektive verstanden und seelsorglich begleitet werden können.
You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Augustine of Hippo
Jesus calls us not to a new religion, but to life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditional love where it cannot be found.
Henri Nouwen
To love a person means to see them as God meant them to be.
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Inner dignity remains, even when performance capacity and social role decline.
Anselm Grün
There is a God, and I'm not him.
John Mark Comer
God has put eternity into our hearts and filled it with longing.
John Piper
Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.
Eugene Peterson