I want to take some time and tell you about one of our students named Sarah Faryna. Sarah is from Alberta Canada and is 19 years old. She came out here to learn more about the Bible and to grow her relationship with Jesus Christ. Sarah has a pretty easy going personality and is a joy to talk to. During the first week of school, Sarahs computer and IPod were stolen. When she found out that they were gone, she accepted it as fact. She did not start to question or get to upset. Of course she was a little frustrated that someone would take both her computer and IPod, but she did not let that emotion rule her. God had been speaking to her previously about something specific but she did not do anything about it. God was telling her that movies and apps, such as Facebook and Instagram, were becoming an idol in her life and she needed to do something about it. These things were taking over so much that she was not taking time to invest in her relationship with Jesus. She thought it was a good idea to cut some of these things out and spend that time reading Gods word, but it never went further than a thought.
When Sarah got to Kauai Bible College, God knew that if she had her computer and IPod they would be a big distraction. God knew that if He did not do something about the idol that was growing it would not ever get destroyed.
Deuteronomy 6:14-15 says "You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God-lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.
I believe God allowed Sarahs computer and IPod to be stolen to get Sarah's attention and draw her closer to himself. Sarah's computer and IPod were becoming a god in her life. Like a god among the people in Israel mentioned in Deuteronomy. The Lord God was jealous of the attention she was giving her worldly god and not devoting to the God who created her and wanted to grow in intimacy with her. God allowed what seems to be a horrible thing happen to get Sarah's attention.
Later when I was talking with Sarah, she told me that she was secretly happy her computer and IPod were taken. Now, without those things she would be able to have a fresh start, a new beginning with the God who wanted to spend more time with his daughter. Now that Sarah did not have these distractions she was able to spend more time with God. She was able to read his word, seek him in prayer and build that intimate relationship that God was desiring with her.
I was stunned at Sarah's reaction to this whole thing. She never once complained, she never once got angry, she knew right away that this was the Lord's doing.
In an effort to bless Sarah, KBC decided to rally together and start a "new computer and IPod" fund. We were able to get enough money to buy Sarah a new computer and a new IPod. We were able to get her a better computer then the one she was considering buying with the little money that she had. During a morning devotion, I was able to present her with a receipt of the new computer we bought for her. It was a complete surprise. She had no idea. She was left speechless.
I was personally blessed by the way Sarah responded to what the Lord was asking of her. I wanted to share this story as an example and a challenge to the rest of us. We too need examine our lives and see if there is anything that is or becoming an idol in our own life. As I was thinking and praying through this, I'm challenged myself to not only examine my own life for idols that are taking my attention off the Lord, but also to respond in a way that is pleasing and honoring to God.
So I challenge you, to examine your life and see if God is speaking to you about something that is taking up to much of your time. When we have examined our own lives we now have another choice. Are we going to respond back to God with a heart of obedience or are we going to ignore His voice and allow the idol to remain? We are presented with a choice every day, and every day we have to chose if we are going to listen to what God is asking of us. I challenge you to grow in your intimacy with the Lord God.
Origin: 33witches.blogspot.com
