"Chemical Reaction" | August 31, 2025 | Hannah Lowery

In our fast-paced, materially-driven world, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We often find ourselves chasing after fleeting pleasures, temporary satisfactions, and worldly success, only to feel empty and unfulfilled. But what if there was a different way? What if the key to a good, peaceful, and prosperous life has been right in front of us all along?

The concept of idolatry might seem outdated to many of us. We picture ancient civilizations bowing before golden statues or offering animal sacrifices. However, idolatry is alive and well in our modern world – it's just taken on new forms.

An idol, at its core, is simply "an object of extreme devotion." With this definition in mind, our idols today might be our smartphones, social media followings, bank accounts, or even our physical appearance. These are the things that consume our thoughts, dominate our time, and often dictate our actions.

But here's the problem: when we devote ourselves to these modern idols, we're putting our faith in things that are inherently unstable and impermanent. Our looks will fade, our followers may lose interest, and material possessions can be lost in an instant. When we rely on these things for our sense of worth and security, we set ourselves up for a life of constant worry and striving.

So how do we break free from this cycle? The answer lies in a profound truth: "Seek first the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

This statement presents us with a simple yet powerful equation for life: Seeking the kingdom + living righteously = everything you need. It's a promise of a life free from worry, full of peace and true prosperity. But to fully grasp this, we need to understand the chemical reaction of devotion that occurs in our hearts and minds.

Imagine a chemical equation with three parts: reactants, catalyst, and product. In the equation of our spiritual lives, the reactants are our eyes – what we choose to focus on and be influenced by. The catalyst is our heart – what we become devoted to. The product is our faith – resulting in either peace or worry.

Where our eyes go determines what influences us. What influences us affects our hearts. What we feed our hearts with is what we grow devoted to. And what we're devoted to is what we put our faith in. When we put our faith in anything other than God – be it our abilities, our wealth, or our popularity – we open the door to worry and stress.

Consider this: our eyes cannot physically look at two things at once. Similarly, Jesus teaches that "No one can serve two masters." When we become devoted to worldly things, we inevitably take our focus off of God. We cannot simultaneously serve God and be enslaved to money, or fame, or any other idol.

But there's good news. Just as negative influences can lead us into darkness, positive ones can fill us with light. As it's written in Philippians 4:8, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

This isn't about completely isolating ourselves from the world or never enjoying earthly pleasures. Rather, it's about being aware of what's influencing us and where we're placing our devotion. It's about consciously choosing to seek God first, trusting that He will provide for our needs.

Jesus illustrates this beautifully with the example of lilies in the field. These flowers don't work or make their own clothing, yet they're dressed more beautifully than Solomon in all his glory. If God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will He care for us?

The challenge, then, is to redirect our devotion. Instead of constantly asking, "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?" – questions that dominate the thoughts of those who don't trust God – we're called to seek first His kingdom.

This requires a fundamental shift in our priorities and perspective. It means looking beyond our immediate circumstances and trusting in God's eternal, unchanging love. It means surrendering our what-ifs and worries, and allowing ourselves to rest in His care.

Imagine the early church, so on fire for God that they sold their possessions to support each other and the poor. They ate together, prayed together, and trusted God so completely that they had no worry about where their next meal would come from. While this level of trust might seem unattainable, it becomes easier when we allow ourselves to surrender fully to God.

So, what are your eyes trained on? What dominates your heart? What keeps you up at night, tossing and turning with stress? These are the questions we need to grapple with as we seek to reorient our lives towards God's kingdom.

Perhaps you've realized that you've been letting unhealthy influences into your life, leading you into darkness. Maybe you struggle with being devoted to the wrong things – whether it's an obsession with money, an addiction to your phone, or anything else that's taken the place of God in your life. Or maybe, like many of us, you find it difficult to fully trust God, to let go of your worries and allow Him to take control.

Breaking free from our modern idols isn't easy. It requires courage, intentionality, and often, community support. But the promise of a life filled with true peace, unshakeable security, and lasting prosperity makes it all worthwhile.

As we navigate this journey, let's encourage one another to keep our eyes fixed on what truly matters. Let's challenge ourselves to surrender our idols, to redirect our devotion, and to trust fully in God's provision. For in seeking His kingdom first, we find everything we truly need – and so much more.