In my work, I know many people who have been so addicted to alcohol for so many years, that they have a hard time functioning in life --- holding a steady job, managing a household, raising children. These people are who many of us define as having a problem with addiction. Believers might say somewhat self-righteously, “They rely more on booze to get them through the day than on God. That’s idolatry.”
    I’m a believer. But, I must admit that I, too, let things crowd out my treasured relationship with God. Gluttony is a big one for me, especially around the holidays. There’s just way too much chocolate and peanuts around. I grab handfuls every chance I get, even while people in some developing countries are starving to death.                        


    Materialism can crowd it out, too. In the US, we have so much at our finger tips. Just give me my technology --- computer, phone, TV, microwave --- and we’re good to go. We’re self-sufficient. Who needs God!? But we better keep life in perspective, including where it ultimately comes from. If God removed the air/oxygen we breathe for a few minutes, or if He threw off the solar system a little bit and moved the sun back a ways, we’d all be breathing our last few breaths as we’re freezing to death. If God didn’t make our hearts to never take even a 15 minute lunch break, we’d suddenly be living our last few seconds of life. Oh yeah, if God took away His grace and care for people, we’d all be in lots of trouble.
    “Thank-you God. Please keep reminding me of who/what gives me life. Not booze, or food, or technology, but YOU.”  --- Fred Wilgenburg, www.peacewithinreach & www.u-and-peacewithinreach.com.