And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Mark 10:21 ESV

There is a funny meme that has been used thousands of times known as “the boyfriend looking back” or “distracted boyfriend” meme. It looks like this:

People have used this meme to joke about various people being distracted by something attractive. The eye-catching girl in red has been used as a metaphor for an endless list of cultural icons and guilty pleasures. She’s been everything from college football to the newest generation of iPhones. She represents sleep to tired parents and Krispy Kreme donuts to people who just started a diet.

It’s hilarious because it’s relatable. We all know the feeling of being distracted. We’re supposed to work on an important project and get caught scrolling social media. We commit to going to bed early, but one more episode beckons.

The ancient people of God, the Israelites, had this same problem regarding worship. God delivered them from slavery and promised to bless them and protect them. Yet, they craned their necks for the gods of the Canaanites countless times. They barely made it out of Egypt, and they were fashioning a golden calf at Mt. Sinai. They were constantly distracted from loving and worshipping the Lord.

Their story is our story. We’re easily distracted away from worshipping the Lord. John Calvin said, “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” We can barely go a day without being distracted from following Jesus. We get caught up in making lesser things the most important things. Parents idolize kids and start acting foolish at youth sports. Managers idolize power and start cutting corners to look better. Teens idolize social status and do nasty things to fit in with the cool kids. Power, pleasure, prestige, and possessions are common go-to idols. They’re all distractions that have us craning our necks away from Jesus.

The rich young man had his idol too. He loved his possessions. Jesus knew the man’s struggle and challenged him to give it up. But, the man loved his idol too dearly. He couldn’t put it down. Like Gollum to his precious ring in the Lord of the Rings, he was addicted to its allure. The rich young man turned down eternal life for fading earthly treasures.

How about you? What is causing you to crane your head away from following Jesus? What captures your thoughts and attention most?

Anything you prioritize ahead of Jesus is an idol. Anything other than Jesus won’t truly satisfy your soul. It may give you a sugar rush, but it won’t last. Only Jesus is meant to capture first place in our hearts. He alone can meet our every need for love, joy, peace, purpose, and security. So, confess your idols. They are prisons anyway. They only hold you back from true life. Confess your idols and be free.

Most importantly, put Jesus first in your life. In the morning, go to him first. Seek his will for your day. Give him the best of your time, energy, and resources. This doesn’t mean you sit around on a cloud with a harp. Putting Jesus first means that you join him in his redemptive mission to reach the lost and serve the vulnerable. You put him first by learning and obeying his commandments. You rest in his completed work on the cross for your redemption. You thank him daily for his goodness and provisions. You say, “Your will be done!” in everything.

Put Jesus first, and don’t look back. Stop craning your head after idols. Fix your gaze on Christ. Put Jesus first and find that he is all you need.