Clear the Stage

The most watched show on TV is American Idol. I have not watched any season all the way through from start to finish until this season. I usually jump in at the top 12 or less and choose my favorite. It is very entertaining. Not so much the singing really, but Simon! I like him because he tells them like it is, even if it is not what they want to hear. 37 million people cast their votes each week for a new idol. In reality, the last thing in the world we need is another idol.
Sterling shared some passages tonight in our Life Group from Acts. We were discussing different idols people have in their lives. Some said money, spouses, kids, careers, TV, Internet.
To me, the best way to define an idol is, anything that takes our focus off the Lord Jesus Christ.
One idol no one mentioned was ourselves. Every store I go in has some shirt or something that says "It's All About Me". I refuse to buy anything with that statement on it. I hate those shirts.
Ironically, I think my biggest idol is ME. I did not get to share that with the group because Emma needed my attention. I get so caught up in myself and what I want or need that I end up losing sight of who it is really all about.....JESUS. If I spent as much time reading my bible as I spend planning my next diet, I would have many books memorized.
One of my favorite songs is "Clear the Stage", by Ross King. The words say it all. I hope they minister to your heart the way they do mine:

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze,
If that's the measure that it takes to crush the idols.
Chuck the pews and all the decorations too,
Until the congregations few then have revival.
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends until you're broken for your sins you can't be social.
Then seek the Lord and wait for what he has in store and know that great is your reward and just be hopeful.
Cause you can sing all you want to. Yes you can sing all you want to, you can sing all you want to And don't get me wrong, worship is more than a song.
Take a break from all the plans that you made ,
And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper.
Beg Him please to open up his mouth and speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they blister.
Shine the light on every corner of your life Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open.
Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken.
Cause you can sing all you want to. Yes you can sing all you want to, you can sing all you want to
And don't get me wrong, worship is more than a song.
Anything I put before my God is an idol.
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol.
Anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol.
Anything that I give all my love is an idol.
We must not worship something that's not even worth it.
Clear the stage and make some space for the one who deserves it.

The words break me every time.