What is an idol? It’s anything that enslaves us and moves ahead of Jesus in our list of priorities. It could be something good, like walking or fitness. I’ve faced mobility challenges for years, first breaking my fibula, which formed a non-union requiring surgery. Then, I had an ankle joint replaced. Next was a knee joint, which became bone-on-bone, leading to a total knee replacement of the first knee. Several years later, the second knee followed the same path. Early in the recovery process, I bought a Fitbit activity tracker that was attached to my pocket. It gave me valuable information as I rehabbed the ankle. Based on my progress, I could objectively assess whether I was getting enough exercise or too much. At some point, it became more than necessary information. On a flight to Dallas, I lost my Fitbit. I panicked and replaced it within a week with a new, improved wrist version; I love my Fitbit! The following year, I had my knee replaced, and my Fitbit let me track how much exercise I was getting again as I rehabbed my knee. My daughter and a friend invited me to be a Fitbit friend. They thought I would be someone easy to beat. As my knee got stronger, I walked longer and more frequently. My first target was five thousand steps daily, then ten thousand, followed by fifteen and twenty thousand steps daily or over ten miles. I planned to crack thirty thousand steps (I did hit 27,000). Then disaster struck—I got two blisters on my right foot. My wife thought I should give it a break. How could I? My steps would fall behind my daughter and my friend. But I conceded and took a break, getting less than five thousand steps—for an entire day! I needed to get back at it today, but I would take it easy with a leisurely walk about 5:30 am around a community lake. It’s my favorite walk and where I have my best prayer time. People talk about having a prayer closet; it doesn’t work for me. When I’m walking, I can focus on communing with God. The time is precious, sacred, and intimate—just me and God. When I first started doing this, I imagined walking beside Jesus. I was walking with my Best Friend. Now, I spend time with the entire Trinity, and it’s even more precious to me. My mobility is the best in ten years, and the prayer time has been great. But my Fitbit has become my master. As I eased into my 1.26-mile walk this morning, I forgot that my Fitbit was charging. It was a great walk and time of prayer. Real intimacy and closeness stirred me on many levels—I was walking in fellowship with God. Then, at the one-mile marker, with only .26 miles to go, I realized my Fitbit was at home. First, I was shocked that I wouldn’t get credit for 3,455 steps on my Fitbit. Then it struck me that I’d had an incredible walk with the Father, but I was moaning about not having my little Fitbit. We laughed (God does have a sense of humor). It was like having the most incredible meal you’ve ever eaten and complaining about not getting a cheesy, paper-wrapped mint from your waiter. I will continue to use my Fitbit, not to compete against anyone, but to keep track of how I’m doing getting exercise. However, I will work to keep my priorities straight and focus on my most important relationship with God, my Savior.
On a tour of Israel, we visited Caesarea Philippi at the headwaters of the Jordan River. The river weaves through a parklike setting of verdant grass and abundant trees in this arid land. The enormous cliff just across the river at the base of Mount Hermon creates a peaceful scene. The cliff, with its sheer size and ominous presence, is a sight to behold. To the far left, looking across the river is a large black grotto. In ancient times, it was known as Baal Hermon and Baal Gad in the Old Testament. During Alexander the Great's time, the Greeks called it Panias for the Greek god Pan. Here, they believed this half-man-half-goat mythological creature had been born. Niches were carved into the cliff wall, and statues dedicated to Pan and other graven images were housed there. In ancient times, the black grotto held long benches or altars for human sacrifice. At the northernmost reach of Jesus' personal ministry, He asked the disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mt. 16:16) This significant event took place at Caesarea Philippi, a place with a rich history of pagan worship. God chose this place to reveal to Simon Peter that Jesus was the Messiah, a powerful contrast to the prevalent pagan beliefs. As I approached the cliff face and came near the black grotto, I was engulfed by a palpable sense of evil. It was so intense that I retreated across the river and sat in the solitude of the park. There, I stared, mesmerized by the paradox of the evil across the river and the theological significance of the site. Why here? Why did God the Father and God the Son reveal Jesus' real identity in this place of evil worship? A local pastor and radio program host, Gino Geraci, said some theologians believe the black grotto is the gate to Hell. All I can testify is that the feeling and sense of evil I experienced was overwhelming. After Simon Peter’s answer. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus told him, “…this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.” Peter, the man who could not keep his eyes on Jesus and, sank into the Sea of Galilee. The man who will deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed. The man Jesus will restore on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and transform into the bold Apostle. He became so committed that when sentenced to be crucified for his faith, he asked to be crucified upside down. He stated that he didn't deserve to die like Jesus had. Jesus Christ is the rock, the bedrock of the church. I first believed the word for Peter meant a sizeable imposing rock. The word Jesus used was petros, which means stone, not the word petras, which is a large rock. This distinction is significant as it highlights that Peter, and all believers, are like small stones used by God in His will. Jesus is the cornerstone that guides the construction of His church, a powerful metaphor for the unity and strength of the church. Our guide pointed out this distinction. Warren Wiersbe refers to all who believe in Jesus Christ and confess Him as God and Savior as living stones. The gates of Hell will not overcome the church God is creating using stones like us. The evil one will not overcome our collective church. Jesus defeated him for all time on Calvary, and our faith stands as a testament to this victory!