February 2026-Subtle Idols

 My Need for Adventure

I have often had a chuckle at the word ‘subtle’. Truth be told it’s for rather nerdish reasons. I love it because there’s a silent b sitting snugly near the middle illustrating perfectly what the word means. It’s there all right but it’s doing it’s best to remain hidden in plain sight. Ain’t that cool? Look deep enough in the English language and you’ll find it often conjures up little gems for the beholder. Subtle things are things that are present but so often escape our gaze.

I remember as a young Christian reading John Calvin talk about how the human heart was an idol making factory. I’d never heard of such a thing. An idol? The last time I checked I didn’t have miniature Buddha in my front living room or a rabbits foot on my car dashboard. What was he on about? An idol, according to Tim Keller in his book Counterfeit Gods, writes this;

‘What is an idol? It is anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.’

When I started asking the Lord Jesus to help me see my idols I realised that Calvin was bang on the money. My heart is jam packed full of things that I so often quickly run to give me that which only God can give.

The idols of my heart are subtle. They stifle my progress and rob my joy. More than anything else they rightly offend my creator who is jealous for my longings. Like J.K Rowling’s mandrake plants, they need to be unearthed and uprooted and they process will not be a pain free one. But Jesus, the loving and perfect physician that he is, loves me enough to uproot them from my heart in order to show me that he is enough. I need Jesus to help me see them.

Throughout the course of the year I’m going to try and outline some subtle idols in my life. I’ll begin with the need to make life exciting.

Perhaps the World is Enough…

At this time of year in particular I’m reminded of the subtle temptation to think that I need make my life exciting. I hear others outline their exhilarating travel plans, ideas for house extensions and career moves. My hearts interest is piqued. Maybe I need to get myself a slice of that action. I can subtly begin to believe that life is to be found in the excitement. That’s a particularly modern day sounding idol that for years, truth be told, remained unnamed and untamed in my heart. One of the worst things I could imagine for myself was a predictable looking life. Photos of me cleaning the dishes again won’t get traction on social media or the family Whatsapp group.

But what am I believing in that moment? That perhaps at God’s right hand aren’t pleasure forevermore. Maybe I need to do some gold digging of my own. But like sugar in the bloodstream these things trick me into thinking I’m full but leave me hungry again and soon on the prowl for more.

The Saviour who is Always Enough…

There’s a saying that I learnt while living in England. Bored of London bored of life. Personally, I prefer the Scottish version, bored of Lundin Links bored of Fife (let the reader understand - or Google it if you’re still clueless). We talk about a city on earth as if it’s a place off endless fascination. However, all you need to do is spend more than 10 minutes on the tube and that allusion will burst.

But there is someone who our hearts were designed to be endlessly fascinated by. Jesus is the one in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. If Jesus has been the object of the Father’s affection and delight for all eternity then I take it he should be more than enough to be the object of mine.

I don’t need to try and make my life exciting this year. I’m freed from that black hole pursuit. I don’t need to find adventures because Jesus is enough. He’s more than enough. The most thrilling thing I can do this year is pour myself into knowing him better. The next big thing on my calendar is his return in glory.

‘Oh, the height and depth of mercy

Oh, the length and breadth of love

Oh, the fullness of redemption

Pledge of endless life above

Take this world, my God's enough!

————————————————————

1 Give Me Jesus, Sovereign Grace Music