With Chris Zoephel | My Struggle with Idolatry

YAMIA is the youth and student ministries arm of the Anglican Mission in the Americas.

All of last year I had a pretty decent devotional life. It was the exception when I went a day without a quality devotional time. This effected all of my areas of life (as good devotional times should do) as God's grace began to work powerfully in my life on my journey toward holiness in Christ. However, things have been different this year...

I switched prayer books and I have been a little busier than usual this year. My devotional life has suffered. I am aware of this and I am going to God with this. Today was a good day as the Spirit both convicted and encouraged me (which are two hallmarks of His work in us). I want to share with you my take away this morning...Idolatry. I have not been trusting Him. I have been anxious about lots of stuff and He revealed to me that it lies in distrust. Here is a reading from this morning that helped me. It is taken from A Cry For Mercy by Henri Nouwen:

"O Lord, who else or what else can I desire but you? You are my Lord, Lord of my heart, mind and soul. You know me through and through. In and through you everything thing that is finds its origin and goal. You embrace all that exists and care for it with divine love and compassion. Why, then, do I keep expecting happiness and satisfaction outside of you? Why do I keep relating to you as one of my many relationships, instead of my only relationship, in which all other ones are grounded? Why do I keep looking for popularity, respect from others, success, acclaim, and sensual pleasures? Why, Lord, is it so hard for me to make you the only one? Why do I keep hesitating to surrender myself totally to you?
Help me, O Lord, to let my old self die, to let die the thousand big and small ways in which I am still building up my false self and trying to cling to my false desires. Let me be reborn in you and see through you the world in the right way, so that all my actions, words, and thought can become a hymn of praise to you.
I need your loving grace to travel on this hard road that leads to the death of my old self and to a new life in and for you. I know and trust that this is the road to freedom.
Lord, dispel my mistrust and help me become a trusting friend. Amen."

Youth Pastors
Please be encouraged and note this... Had I not spent time seeking Him, in His presence, first thing...where would my day have gone? What would my words have been? To my wife? To the youth group? To the other staff members? What would my attitude have been like? What would my countenance communicated?
Discipleship is caught more than taught. You can only take people to where God is taking you. Are you struggling with idolatry? That is, is the love for the Triune God the center of your heart (which is the seat of the will)? If not, join me today in getting in His presence.

Involved in Youth Ministry for over 10 years, Rev Chris Zoephel has worked with junior highers, senior highers and those who act like these folks both as a paid staff member and as a volunteer in churches and para church organizations. These days most of his time is spent chasing his son around, keeping his office somewhat organized and trying to point others toward Christ. Currently Chris is on staff at Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin, FL as the Pastor of Discipleship (which includes being a youth pastor). Chris also serves as Director of YAMIA for the Anglican Mission in the Americas.