Today you should read: Hosea 13
What are your functional saviors? Let me define what I mean: a functional savior is something that you look to in your everyday life to bring you some kind of temporal satisfaction or pleasure. In the 10 commandments, it went by a different name: idol.
For me, it can be greener-grass syndrome; always looking at what others have or what others do and wish I could be them. Or another one I struggle with is the lust for vacations or down time, and I don’t mean biblical sabbath. I’m referring to the American Dream mentality of rest. For others, it could be a status achievement, or a financial goal. At the end of the day, though, it’s functional but not the real thing. It’s temporary. It doesn’t last. It’s not a true Savior.
“I have been the Lord your God ever since I brought you out of Egypt. You must acknowledge no God but me, for there is no other savior. I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land. But when you had eaten and were satisfied, you became proud and forgot me.” Hosea 13:4-6
Well… that hit us like a ton of bricks. But that’s a good thing. Maybe on this fine Wednesday, we all need a quick wake-up call.
Two questions for us to dialogue about in the comments section:
1) What are your functional saviors? Be honest and share. Someone here might benefit from knowing others struggle with the same idols.
2) How do you fight idolatry and push yourself to keep Jesus at the center of your life? Again, someone here might need the encouragement you could offer.
By: Todd Thomas — Worship & College Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 
This passage reminded me of a quote I read recently.
“When bad things happen, do we say, ‘God has better things in store for you!’? Or do we say, ‘We have Christ, and he is enough.’?”
Is Christ all I want? Am I putting Christ at the center of my life? If I lost everything I cared for, would I still be content? These questions have been heavy on my heart. Thank you for providing more questions to reflect on!
I think I’m similar to you, Todd., but I seek that “rest” on more of a daily basis and sometimes allow it to overshadow my quiet time with the Lord. Instead of getting up a few minutes earlier to read and reflect on God’s word, I stay in my warm bed as long as possible. Last night after Ceanna went to bed, I rushed to get my night time snack and turn on my latest Netflix binge so I could fulfill my mind’s idea of rest and relaxation. That would have been a great time for prayer or spending some quality time with my Bible. As a mom of a young toddler, I’m usually spending my time at home with her. When she goes to bed, I want to try to spend as much time as I can with Jordan. If he’s not home I want to catch up on Netflix. God doesn’t always play as big of a role in my day as I’d like him to. I’ve tried to place “prayer reminders” around myself at work and at home so that I am reminded to take a moment to focus on him as much as possible.