737) As a teacher, I know the value of using objects to illustrate concepts I’m trying to teach my students. For example, if I were teaching the concept of negative numbers, I would take the kids outside and have one of them dig a hole. Then I would put a yardstick in the hole and say to them, any number on this yardstick above the hole represent positive numbers and any numbers on the yardstick that are inside the hole represent negative numbers.

The beauty of using object lessons is that they are a type of “trigger” to help someone to remember things. The concept of positive and negative numbers is easier for my students to grasp when they see this object lesson.

There is a problem, however, that can develop from some objects that are used in a spiritual context. A cross, for example, can remind us of Jesus’ sacrificial death, but some may place a value on the object itself and not what it represents.

In 2 Kings 18:1-4, Hezekiah was aware of this problem and he smashes the symbols of the false god, Baal, and he also destroys the bronze snake that Moses made years ago that healed the people from snakebites. Evidently, the people had kept this snake and worshipped it. Hezekiah knew that this practice was not pleasing to God.

Perhaps we need to take inventory, from time to time, and ask ourselves, Do I have any objects that I am misplacing my worship with? If so, getting rid of it would be an excellent choice.