Thoughts for the Day

While Paul was in Athens he was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and also in the market-place every day with those who happened to be there....

Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, 'Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, "To an unknown god." What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Paul is bold in his preaching - he will use anything he can to teach people about God and about His Son, Jesus Christ. Athens was the greatest university town in the world at the time, and was a city of many gods. It was said that there were more statues of gods in Athens than in all of Greece. The statue to an unknown God is enough to spark him into preaching to the Athenians.

Today we may not have statues to unknown gods in the market place, but as a society we do have idols. How can we define an idol? Well the dictionary has the following definition: A person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration or devotion.

What might we turn into an idol: a person or persons, money, drink, our home, or work? Can we loosen these ties, particular at the moment, and give more attention to God?

Thursday 24th September, follow up thoughts

Lord Jesus,
all too often we put
too much attention into
the things of this world,
and not enough into the
things of the spirit.
Help us to see what is
truly important,
and to turn to You.
Amen.