You shall not have any idols. None. Nada. End of discussion—Exodus 20:4 (King Jimmy Translation)
“Making the Most of Idol Time”
I’m into my thirteenth year in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) [1] We spend a year delving into a book of the Bible, searching for deeper truths. One question in this year’s study of the book of Romans got my attention.
“What substitutes for God could you be worshipping or serving, and how would your life be impacted if God removed those substitutes?”
The Holy Spirit had to Aggie-slap me on this one. Let me explain.
Every Aggie takes Texas A&M football to the peek of fanaticism. We live, eat, breathe, walk, talk Aggie football. If we cut ourselves while shaving our backs, we bleed maroon and white. All Aggies, regardless of their location, turn toward Kyle Field five times a day, close their eyes and sway side-to-side until the image of Jackie Sherrill [2] appears. Aggies who fail to maintain this regiment are banned from the Dixie Chicken [3] for life.
Sunday, September 3, the Aggies played UCLA in Los Angeles. We jumped out to a 38 to 17 halftime lead. Exultation floated my soul’s boat. To make the victory even sweeter, Mrs. Aggie kept the nachos coming. I visioned the final score to be at least 75 to 17. Maybe 175 to 17. It was gonna be a good week to gloat, after the ultra-conservative Aggies soundly thrashed those liberals in their backyard. Bring on Alabama, baby, I thought. As I witnessed the level of brutality by which we were pounding the Bruins, your humble Aggie scribe felt sorry for the looming embarrassment of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. Hey Coach Saban, just go ahead and forfeit the game against the fightin’ Texas Aggies. The money I’d withdraw from my 401(k) for sympathy cards to my Alabama friends would be substantial, but they would see my sensitive side while they licked their wounds.
Then came halftime.
Followed by the second half.
Which brought disaster.
The final score: UCLA 45, Texas A&M 44 . . . and the nachos grew stale.
This letdown surpassed the pain of the 2003 narrow loss to Oklahoma 77–0, when the Aggies had the Sooners on the ropes but ran out of time.
The angst.
The frustration.
The fist pounding.
The emotional roller coaster left me feeling like a wet dishrag, discarded after scrubbing plates covered with dried asparagus. From an euphoria beyond belief to humiliating depths of despair, I looked for someone to blame for this unforgiveable loss. I shook my fists. Heads are gonna roll for this, as if I could do something about head-rolling. There was no consoling me.
Even with the lights on, darkness covered the room. Sleep took the night off while the instant replays in my head never ceased. My mind dissected each missed tackle, every dropped pass, and the numerous muffed assignments. That’s when the Holy Spirit had to Aggie-slap me with this truth:
Why can’t you be this passionate about me and my kingdom as you are about Aggie football? I never see you this worked up about rebuking the devil who’s trying to destroy your family and friends. When was the last time you were this fervent in prayer?
Ouch!
The Lord was spot on. Doing an honest review of my priorities, my enthusiasm for Aggie football exceeded the things of God. When I read the Old Testament, I’ve wondered how those folks could be so stupid as to turn from God to worship idols. Those idiots, I self-righteously thought. Substituting powerless, man-made idols for the living God.
Hello, Aggie, the Lord said, as he thumped my head, which made its usual hollow sound. Whatever or whoever you put ahead of me becomes an idol. Remember that second Commandment of mine: “You shall not have any idols. None. Nada. End of discussion.” You’re not putting Aggie football ahead of me, are you?
What could I say in that awkward moment? “Who? Me, Lord? Surely not.”
He was right, of course. I considered what the Lord said. The truth stung—I do put all other activities in the back seat when the Aggies take the field. At that moment, Aggie football is supreme—nothing else matters.
God’s Spirit laid it out. So, what are you gonna do with this Aggie football idol of yours?
“Okay, Lord,” I said. “I’ll make a deal with you. I won’t watch the next two games. How’s that?”
You’re not serious, are you? the Lord said. I don’t think you want to give up your idol.
Crunch time—and my idol still stood. “You’re right, Lord. I’m not serious. I will give up watching Aggie football games this year.” Did I just say what I heard myself say? But I had to show the Lord the sincerity of my repentance.
That’s not enough, the Lord said. That’s not the 100 percent devotion I want.
“Do you know the great sacrifice that I’m making, Lord?” As soon as I uttered those words, I realized how stupid I sounded, remembering his sacrifice for my sins. “I’m an idiot. Forgive me, Lord. Whatever you want, I will do.”
Since you already blocked off the time for the Aggie games, spend that time with me. We need more Father/child time. There’s so much I want to show you. We can work on your BSF lessons, I can show you insights about my glory, give you more awareness into my power, make you stronger.
“That would be good, Lord. I can also use that time for writing. I need to work on my Walking with Wilbur series.”
It pleases me when you write to me, the Lord said. I’ll give you some inside scoop on those Wilbur-guys. And I love your love-letter prayers, I read them over and over.
“Okay, Jesus, it’s a deal.” I felt the Lord’s hand as we high-fived.
It’s been three weeks since we made our deal. The Aggies won all three games, including the big win over Arkansas. That’s okay. I still made the better trade. I would have missed such insight into God’s word if not for this Aggie-football-less time.
Lord, may we never place anything above you, but always keep you as Lord of our lives.
Stay close to Jesus.
Jimmy
P.S. I’ll show you mercy, Jimmy, the Lord said. You can watch the Cowboys this year.
“Thanks a lot, Lord.” #sarc
Jimmy Eskew © 2017
[1] Bible Study Fellowship, Inc. © 2017 www.bsfintenational.org
[2] Jackie Sherrill; Texas A&M football coach, 1982-1988
[3] Dixie Chicken; iconic bar and grill hangout for Aggies in College Station http://www.dixiechicken.com
THANKFUL 
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