What do seven-year-olds read? Simple books. Funny little stories. Maybe a pint-sized graphic novel.
Not Caleb. He’s into, well, biblical archaeology. Seriously. So, when his parents took him and his siblings to a museum exhibit focused on Egyptian Iconoclasm, Caleb was engaged to the max.
Upon learning that the museum docent had taken part in a dig in Cairo, Caleb peppered her with questions. He then steered the conversation toward the biblical account of Moses leading the Hebrews out of Egypt. Caleb highlighted new research supported by biblical evidence, suggesting that the timeline in many history books may be wrong—and perhaps requires revision.
I can’t imagine what was going on in this lady’s head as Caleb interviewed her about her experiences. At the end of their conversation, she suggested Caleb might want to choose a gift store artifact for his bedroom (Caleb’s room looks like the set of an Indiana Jones movie).
The docent recommended a box containing replicas of small statues. But Caleb, who knew all about those statutes and what they represented, blurted, "No, thank you. No other gods in my room!” And he chose something else instead.
All this from a seven-year-old? Yup. Kinda messes with your mind a little, doesn't it? But I find that it's my heart that needs to be "messed with."
Truthfully, I can’t believe the number of times God has had to point His holy finger at something in my heart and call it an idol. It has happened within the last 24 hours! Idol after idol. My heart wreaks of them.
John Calvin graphically stated, “The human heart is an idol factory.” To which I would add, “that idol factory runs 24/7, 365 days a year on an inexhaustible supply of raw materials.”
Lord, strike down the idols of my heart.
Grant me the courage of Caleb to say no to the next one. And the next. And the next.
I will have no other gods before you!
P.S. If you found yourself connecting with this story, you'll enjoy Kids Say the Wisest Things. Real conversations with real kids that help you see Jesus more clearly and love Him more boldly. Get it on Amazon, or at Moody Publishers: https://www.moodypublishers.com/books/evangelism-and-discipleship/kids-say-the-wisest-things/. Also available at Christian Book.com: https://www.christianbook.com/wisest-things-lessons-children-could-teach/jon-gauger/9780802418944/pd/418943?event=ESRCG