Day 2 - Thou Shalt Not Make Unto Thee Any Graven Image

At the age of ten, I first became involved in idolatry.

I was filled with an insatiable desire for praise. The acclaim, loud worship, and applause of followers made me feel alive, and I secretly relished the adoration. I counted the blessings of my adorners. The prayers of my worshippers gave me strength. I corralled them; their enthusiasm, their hope–I wanted it all. I need it.

My disciples were many. They spread “the good news”, my gospel.

If only I had known that this lust, this desire for attention and validation would become unhealthy, that it would lead to an obsession with being admired, and that it would ultimately result in an inability to form genuine relationships in the future... If only someone had just told me.

But if I'm honest, I loved deceit. I didn’t want to know. Deception was an intoxicating drink that never left its cup empty. I would continue to drink from its chalice for the next twenty years of my life. My entire existence was built upon it. But I knew I needed to break free.

I lied. I cheated. I stole to stand on top of her altar.

I often thirst for her. Her lips drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil. She gave me the world.

And what’s worse, she also gives you your world.

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images"