Who's Carrying Whom? Breaking Free from Modern Idols

We live in a world full of burdens. What starts as innocent curiosity or harmless fun can quickly become something that controls our lives. Whether it's a hobby, a possession, or even a good thing taken too far, we can find ourselves asking: "When did this thing I thought I owned start owning me?"

What Are Modern Idols?

The prophet Isaiah gives us a powerful picture in chapter 46 of the Babylonian gods Bel and Nebo. These massive metal and wooden idols had to be carried on carts by straining oxen during religious parades. The irony wasn't lost on Isaiah - people were worshiping gods that couldn't even carry themselves.

Today's idols look different but function the same way. They promise to fulfill us but end up demanding everything from us instead.

Common Modern Idols That Weigh Us Down

Success and Achievement: The endless pursuit of getting ahead, working long hours, pushing to reach the top. When success becomes ultimate, it demands endless achievement.

Approval and Recognition: The constant need for validation from others. This idol makes us crave approval and leaves us exhausted from performing.

Control: The belief that peace depends on everything going our way. This idol convinces us we must manage every detail of life.

Material Possessions: Homes, cars, gadgets, or collections that start as enjoyments but become burdens requiring constant maintenance, storage, and financial resources.

Technology: Our phones and devices that were meant to serve us but now demand our constant attention and energy.

How Do Good Things Become Bad Things?

The problem isn't that these things are inherently evil. Success, approval, control, and possessions can all be good things. The issue arises when good things become ultimate things - when they become "God things" in our lives.

When we make idols out of good things, they become masters that we must serve. We become the beasts of burden, carrying what was never meant to carry us. This is exhausting and ultimately demonic in nature.

The God Who Carries His People

Into this exhaustion, God speaks tenderly through Isaiah: "Listen to me... you whom I have upheld since you were conceived and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I will sustain you. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and rescue you."

This is a stunning reversal. While idols must be carried by their worshippers, God carries His people from birth to death. He carried Israel out of slavery, through the wilderness, and even through exile. He carries us through heartbreak, pressure, and empty seasons when our strength is gone.

Why We Still Act Like We're Carrying Our Load

Even when God sets us free, we sometimes still act like we're carrying our old burdens. It's like the man who got a ride in a truck but kept his heavy backpack on his shoulders, thinking he couldn't ask the driver to carry his load too.

We drop external idols but keep internal ones. The need to be enough, the fear of losing control, the pride that resists surrender - these heart idols remain even after we've thrown away the obvious ones.

How Do We Find Freedom from Heart Idols?

Freedom from idols starts in the heart and reuires the Holy Spirit's work. Only God can change what we love and lift our eyes to see His greatness, making our idols lose their grip.

The Gift of Discernment

One crucial tool is learning to ask: "Is this of God or not of God?" This question can be applied to relationships, habits, attitudes, and goals. We need to discern whether something is drawing us closer to God or pulling us away, whether it's producing peace and love or anxiety and fear.

God gives us several tools for discernment:

• His Word - Scripture as our guide

• His Holy Spirit - God with us

• Prayer - direct communication with God

• His people - the community of believers who can help us see what we can't see on our own

Jesus: The God Who Carries Our Burdens

Isaiah's promise points directly to Jesus, who said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." On the cross, Jesus carried all our burdens, bore the full weight of our sin and failure.

While the gods of this world demand everything and give nothing back, Jesus gave everything and offers us eternal life. He is the Good Shepherd who carries the lost sheep on His shoulders, rejoicing when the lost is found.

Carried to Carry Others

When we're carried by God, we're freed to carry His love into the world. We can show up in heavy places not bringing more weight, but bringing relief. We can carry courage, grace, and hope to others because we don't have to prove ourselves - we're free to serve in love and truth.

Life Application

This week, take an honest inventory of your life. Identify what has become the "Bel" - the master and lord of your life. What good things have become ultimate things that now own you instead of you owning them?

Practice asking "Is this of God or not of God?" about your relationships, habits, goals, and possessions. Seek out godly community - people who can help you see what you might not see on your own.

Most importantly, rest in the truth that God carries you. You don't need to carry the weight of proving yourself or managing everything in your life. Trust deeper rather than trying harder.

Questions for reflection:

• What good thing in my life has become an ultimate thing that now controls me?

• Who do I have in my life that helps me discern what is of God and what isn't?

• In what areas am I still trying to carry burdens that God wants to carry for me?

• How can I rest more fully in being carried by God this week?