What's competing for your devotion?

An idol is anything that competes with God for your devotion and keeps you from meeting Him where He has promised to be.

God has made Himself available: in the gathering of His people, in His Word, in prayer, in fasting.

An idol whispers: "You're too tired." "You're too busy." "You can do it later." And on a deeper level: "I need you more." "You need me more than God."

So you give it your time, your attention, your energy. And over time, you start missing God — and even start missing out on God. Whatever consistently pulls you away from these places is shaping you; it is training your heart to depend on something else.

Ask yourself: what is competing for my devotion and keeping me from meeting God where He has promised to be? Whatever keeps you from His presence is already taking His place.

The early church shows us what real devotion looks like: they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer (Acts 2). That is where God is met. That is where hearts are formed.