One Nation Under Idolatry: Red, White, And You.

Insight 55 | Careful With What's At The Top Of Your Pyramid

One nation under so many gods. Divisible with justice for none. We the people have become careless with what we leave at the top of our lives...

This is not meant to be a political commentary or a stance on any particular issue, but the truth is quite simple:

That which is at the top of your pyramid is your god.

Regardless of whether you are religious, this statement remains true. 

We all worship something, and this has led us to be a rather idolatrous people, with a variety of outlets to which we dedicate our lives in search of meaning, knowledge, and peace. Simply defined, idolatry is the worship of a false god. Specifically demonstrated by an extreme reverence, admiration, or love for someone or something.

With that straightforward understanding, it can be easily said that our culture has built altars at the feet of screens, money, sex, titles, and, most dangerously, ourselves. And that's “alright” if you are looking to live a meaningless and unfulfilling few years of existence.

However, if you aim to live a life with intention and a clear, driven purpose, then you must be careful with what you allow to take up space at the top.

Our life is like a pyramid; whatever is at its top is what we value the most. While a building's foundation is just as crucial, what is at the top is what everything builds up to. It's where we want to spend our days and where we invest our energy to achieve our goals.

I have never met someone overly excited to conquer the ground floor, or stay wandering in the mezzanine. No, everyone wants to go to the top of a skyscraper, reach the pinnacle, enjoy the views, gather perspective, and feel the wind in their hair. Countries proudly fly their flags at the top of their buildings, off poles and over doorways, not off the bottom; they want it to be seen, to inspire, and to lead.

The top of something, in many senses, is our focus of attention when we look at it from the top down. It's also that which is at its center, that which the rest surrounds and is meant to point back to. If this is so, why are we so careless with what we leave at the top of our lives?

The pinnacle of your pyramid is your heart's preference.

Now, isn't it interesting that what sits at the top of our bodies is our mind, and that ironically, the section next to your eyes is known as your “temple”. 

Aren't temples built for gods? And aren't your body's temples at the top? 

Yes, I'm pulling the thread slightly here for poetic depth, but the point should have come across. We all have something that is top of mind, something we consider to be of great importance. This is what we give our attention to and therefore also our time. 

Time is one of life's greatest non-renewable resources, an invaluable personal asset.

Given that this discussion revolves around the realm of intellect, it is natural to turn to Psychology, the study of the mind, for further understanding. Sadly, this approach is flawed, as the study of Psychology itself is a biased field, as some of its approaches may hold some truth, but the majority end in a failed conclusion with the self being at the top, rather than something greater and of value.

This is the central problem with modern psychology. A priority of the self and our overconsumption rather than a holistic, level-headed approach with the greater good. I am firm in stating that if all we live for is ourselves, then when we die, our time here on earth would mean nothing, and that's not the kind of life I personally want to live.

Now, returning to the central idea of this article (That which is at the top of your pyramid is your god) we should note that phrase intentionally leaves the g in god lowercase, as to clarify that whatever is at the top is a “god” to you, regardless of whether or not it may be God himself. 

This distinction is important to make because God (capital G) does not need us in order for Him to do His thing. While He has called us to place Him as the priority of our lives, God will continue to operate whether or not we are on board. This writing is nothing more than an exhortation. I must admit I struggle to keep God central and at the pinnacle of who I am, but in this wrestle, I have come to realize that regardless of whether it is the Lord at the top or not, something always sits in the position of the most high, and whatever that is, is your current god, your current idol.

If we aim to live a life with intention and a clear, driven purpose, then we must be careful about what we allow to occupy the forefront.

We must be intentional with what we allow to sit at the top of our lives, for it directs where we place our attention. And our attention directs where we invest our time.  Sooner rather than later, we will all run out of that, and by the end of it, if we are hoping to leave a legacy that means something, then we must make sure that our directing force is not glitter but gold.

---

The phrase In God We Trust, became the official American Motto on July 30th, 1956, and it's been stamped on all legal tender since the year 1957. But if you are like most Americans, the last time we stopped and noticed those four fine words was never.

Regardless of whether we notice it, we indeed have remained a nation under a god. Not always the creator, but certainly under other idols. Again, none of these statements are meant to be political, but rather an example of how critically intertwined our sense of identity and purpose is with what we choose to worship and make important.

Whatever is at the top of the pyramid is your god, regardless of whether you're religious or not.

- Making The Most Of Being Curious

Daniel J. Cuesta

Sources:

Idolatry Is More Than Just Statues:

Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands.  – Isaiah 2:8

Your Attention Is Tied To Your Heart's Drive:

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21

We All Worship “Something”: 

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.” – Romans 1:25

Examine What's At Your Top:

Search me, O God, and know my heart…– Psalm 139:23-24

In God We Trust History: Link 

In God We Trust Signed As Official Motto: Link