Crazy Georgia Lady

Yesterday, as Brooke and I were heading to lunch, we noticed a lady in the middle of the street. Her car was parked with the emergency brakes on, in the other lane. I was a bit confused and concerned, to say the least. As I slowly approached her, I noticed she was bending over to pick up something on the road. My first thought was, "Oh no, there is a dead puppy...or cat." As we got a closer view, we discovered what she was risking her life to pick up; a University of Georgia flag.

I live in the south. In my culture, I've observed many people worship the god of college football. Now, before you send a response in anger toward me, please read to the end. Mark Driscoll defined idolatry in a great and biblical fashion last week on ABC. It's worth the 7 minutes to watch the interview. I believe the show was nightline...but you may want to Google it to make sure. Idolatry is simply anything we place as the object of our worship, apart from God. Years ago, I had to repent and confess of my love for baseball. I do enjoy the game still, but it doesn't hold mastery over my attention as it once did.

After a morning of corporate worship, I witnessed a lady place her life on the line, simply just to pick up a flag of her favorite team. It was indeed a tragedy. It brought several passages of Scripture to mind. Please permit me to share them with you:


"Whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things." Philippians 3:19

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Matthew 6:24

"Little children, guard yourselves from idols." 1 John 5:21

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36

"Their idols are silver and gold, The work of man's hands." Psalm 115:4

These are some of many passages of Scripture that came to mind. I hurt for people, like this lady, that waste their life on idols that lead to destruction. You can have a hobby in college football, but don't let it run you. You can enjoy playing golf, but don't desire that above the God of this World. You can enjoy the pleasures of this world, because of the infinite pleasure you have in God. Watch college football. Watch baseball. Enjoy life, but please don't allow your enjoyment become the very idolatry that our God hates. Close out this reading by taking a glance over Philippians 3.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Dave