Beth Moore posted on the LPM blog tonight with the instructions for the second meeting of our NOG study. Her video is again hilarious, especially the bargain shopping tips and inside-out leggings. I think what I will do is post separately for each discussion and we can either add comments to the post or post independently if you desire. I'll start with the first discussion:
WHAT IS A FUNCTIONAL GOD AND HOW HAS THIS IDOL FUNCTIONED FOR YOU?
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A functional god consumes our time, causing us to care more about the person, thing, role, activity, pleasure, etc. than our professed God. This functional or false god can be a good thing, but it has taken more significance in our lives than it should. My functional gods are comfort and security. I'm "good" if I'm not uncomfortable and I cling to security.
My functional gods are control/perfection which has led to a cluttered house and food which has led to a cluttered body (although I am currently a Weight Watcher who has lost 25lbs.)
My functional God are keeping me from losing this weight, and feeling better, I eat when i'm down and hurt, and then I tell my self that I"m not good enough...
My functional god is eating. It works for me because my family accepts me as I am. I am happy with my life in general, so eating often makes me feel good. But then, I don't REALLY feel good, so it's only working for me in a warped, illogical way.
I'm discovering that mine is self-gratification, in the sense that I choose to do what I want rather than what I should - staying up too late at night, and consequently sleeping too late in the morning - or waking up grouchy and taking it out on my children. Eating too much, and watching my baby weight grow rather than decrease. Spending too long on the computer and seeing my housework surpass my ability to maintain it - and becoming depressed and overwhelmed by it in the process. Splurging on bargains at Wal-Mart, or Goodwill ( I LOVE that place!!!), or garage sales because it's "just so cheap"- and not only finding that we come up short in our budget every month, but that we are drowning in unneccessary stuff. And my children are becoming more materialistic. Finding that I place unrealistic expectations on my husband to make me happy, because he gets to go out into the world every day, travel on business trips and eat at fancy places while I'm cooped up here at home... when many, many women would give anything to be able to stay home with their children and can't. I think it's because, deep down I feel I deserve rewards. Rewards for staying home all day with demanding children. Rewards for giving up my career and choosing to put my family's needs ahead of my own. Rather than focusing on the fact that my family IS a great reward. That waking up in the middle of the night to breastfeed a baby IS a precious reward, and gift. That wiping poop off a baby, washing the same little clothes over and over and over again every week, slaving over a hot stove in the evening to make good meals for kids who turn up their little noses and say "eeeewwww" - IS a privelege and a blessing. And the place God has for me in this season of life. And the great irony is, that all I do to reward myself only ends up making me miserable in the long run. I'm still exploring all the implications - the self-gratification thing may be symptomatic of an even bigger false god. Not sure yet. But that's what I've uncovered so far.
Hello all,
I am sorry I am so late in giving my responses. My functional god is also eating (including diet sodas, and ice tea)and trying to have the acceptance of everyone.
My functional gods are eating, wanting acceptance, approval and recognition, and worry over my future. This study is so GREAT!
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