A few months back, I was able to purchase the television set of my dreams. It covers almost an entire wall in the living room.  It has unbelievable color; background scenes are gorgeous. The sound is perfect. And the focus is amazing, I can see the perspiration drip off the foreheads of ballplayers. It was a long time coming, so I sure wouldn’t want to do without it now.

But it is a toy. A much-appreciated toy. But it is still a toy.

I began to really think about “toys” after I read a quote from A. W. Tozer in his monumental work, The Pursuit of God. (I strongly recommend that book to any Christian who gets serious about serving the Lord!)

Tozer says, “Father, I want to know you, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding and I do not try to hide from you the terror of the parting.”

“I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that you may enter and dwell there without a rival.

“Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for you will be the light and there shall be no night there.”

Wow. I love that phrase, “enter, and dwell in my heart without a rival.”

I am not sure that my massive TV is blocking a place in my heart where the Lord would like to reign, but it might be. And so might any number of other TOYS in our lives. Cars, hobbies, houses and even children can creep into our souls and occupy places that were intended to honor our Heavenly Father.

Maybe this week we can all do a bit of “summer cleaning” and make sure that TOYS remain TOYS, just items of entertainment and not distracting idols.

“Lord help us all to keep you in your rightful place of honor. Help us to remove STUFF that crowds you out. Help us to value eternal things, not items that wear out, break down or become obsolete. Help us to play with TOYS but honor YOU in all we say and do.”

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31).