According to the inspired songwriter this morning, you become what you worship.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.

(Psalm 135:15-18 ESV)

Precious metals. Fashioned by human hands. Look good. Do nothing. Gleam in the light. But are inert. Mouths, eyes, ears. But no senses. Build them, invest in them, pursue them, trust in them — become like them. Perhaps looking pretty good yourself. But without real life. Putting on the finer things. But not flourishing. You become what you worship.

Bad news for those who worship idols and inanimate objects. Bad news for those who worship any created thing. But really, really good news for those who worship the Creator. Reminded of that as I also started into Thessalonians this morning.

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

(1Thessalonians 1:9-10 ESV)

They turned from idols to serve the living and true God. They cashed in the gold and silver of earth for an inheritance in heaven. Rather than servicing things created by their own hands, they waited on the One who created all things and promised to return one day. They believed the promise. They trusted in the Promiser. And they become what they worshiped.

They became imitators of the Lord (1:6). Examples for other believers (1:7) in faith, love, and hope (1:3). To see them in action was to see Jesus in action. To hear their heart, understand their ambitions, and comprehend what compelled them was to know something of the heart, ambitions, and purposes of the One they worshiped.

They became what they worshiped. So do we.

Yeah, I know it often seems like two steps forward one step back. But, having entered the dynamic of transformation through worship, we can rest in the promise that He who has turned us to Himself, who has begun a good work in us, will make us like unto Himself and complete the work (Php. 1:6).

By His grace. For His glory.